Council wants to put LB Hounslow on the map as a destination for culture

Brentford’s Creative Mile, which took place at the end of August

Hounslow launches first-ever culture strategy and sets sights on London Borough of Culture

The London Borough of Hounslow has launched a culture strategy for the first time and has set its sights on becoming the London Borough of Culture.

The aim is to place Hounslow on the map ‘as a destination borough and place culture at its heart’.

The strategy has been developed in partnership with residents, cultural organisations and businesses, with more than 600 people taking part in surveys and workshops with the producers and consumers of culture.

READ ALSO: Brentford’s Creative Mile, 29 – 31 August

READ ALSO: New artists studios opened at Chiswick House Gardens

Key cultural organisations such as Chiswick House and Gardens, Feltham Arts, Hounslow Arts Trust, and Culture Commons, along with groups such as Brentford Voice, played ‘a pivotal role’, says the Council, ‘in shaping the strategy, which aims to position Hounslow as a vibrant, inclusive and nationally recognised destination for arts, heritage and creative enterprise’.

Artists at the opening of the new artists’ studios at Chiswick House in the summer of 2025; photograph by Amol Rapole

By bringing culture into parks, libraries, town centres, historic buildings and public spaces, the Council will ‘support activity that builds pride, strengthens belonging and makes culture part of everyday life’.

By strengthening partnerships between communities, cultural organisations, education providers and businesses, the Council hopes the strategy will ‘open up clearer pathways for young people, support creative careers and ensure culture is inclusive, collaborative and rooted in local talent’.

They also hope the culture strategy will support regeneration, economic growth, and ‘community wellbeing’.

A printing workshop at the opening of the new artists’ studios at Chiswick House in the summer of 2025; photograph by Amol Rapole

Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council, said:

“Our long-term ambition is for Hounslow to become London’s Borough of Culture, and I know our culture strategy will play a pivotal role in us achieving this ambition.”

The London Borough of Culture for 2025 – 26 is Wandsworth. Their year runs until March, when Haringey takes over the title.

Wandsworth is this year’s London Borough of Culture

Bidding for London Borough of Culture attracts money from the Mayor’s office for cultural projects

Boroughs which bid to become London Borough of Culture are eligible for awards from the Major of London’s office for projects which demonstrate a positive impact on local communities.

Hammersmith and Fulham was among those boroughs which received an award in 2022-24, alongside Haringey and Sutton.

‘Sounds Like Hammersmith & Fulham’ won the award for a scheme to train young people in music-making and event-producing, supported by leading music industry professionals.

The next three boroughs to receive awards will be Barnet, Greenwich and Merton, who are due to deliver their plans in 2026. They have received up to £200,000 to deliver smaller scale transformative creative projects within their community.

Barnet will host an audio-visual arts festival of light, heritage and tech, inspired by the borough’s aviation heritage. Merton will deliver a performance trail for residents and tourists, with six new theatre and dance works telling stories of Merton’s town centres, while Greenwich plan to stage a spectacle of dance, music and innovative tech, celebrating local stories.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar