On behalf of Hounslow Council’s Labour Administration, Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council and Labour Group Spokesperson for Assets, Regeneration and Development said:
“It is with sadness that we note squatters have now occupied the former Watermans Art Centre building, and have refused to vacate. The Council is currently working with the Hounslow Arts Trust, which is the current tenant of the building, and we are aiming to remove the occupiers as swiftly as possible. Our priorities are public safety and protecting the integrity of the building.
“The squatters have claimed in a statement that they occupied the former Watermans Art Centre building in order to save arts and culture in Brentford. This is false, as the occupation is now an obstacle to the valuable work the Hounslow Arts Trust is doing in delivering its programme of much-needed arts and culture across the borough. It is only when the squatters vacate the building that we can move forward together with this programme.
“It is also very disappointing that the squatters’ occupation have put on hold the Council’s plans for meanwhile use of the building, an initiative that I know Brentford residents really wanted to see happen.
“Hounslow Council’s Labour administration are still committed to delivering a new arts centre on the Police Station site in Brentford and we are working closely with all our local partners, including the Hounslow Arts Trust, to achieve this. The work on this important development is ongoing and continues to be our top priority. The actions of the squatters only serve to disrupt this endeavour and create division in our community, rather than working with both the Council and the Hounslow Arts Trust for a positive way forward for Brentford residents.”