Supporters of a planned arts centre featuring a cinema and theatre are stepping up their campaign and are urging people to help them make it happen.
Campaigners are launching a new website tomorrow (March 11) and will be delivering leaflets this weekend to share their vision for the centre which they hope can be based at the old Acton Library.
They plan to take over the site, which is to be sold because a new library has been built yards away in the Acton Town hall complex in the High Street and is due to open within weeks.
Glynne Steele, co-director of the Acton art centre project, said: “We’re really going for it and want everyone to know. The reason they should support it is that it won’t cost them anything.”
Big names, such as actresses Anna Chancellor and Emilia Fox have thrown their weight behind the plans. As have award-winning theatre designers Charcoal Blue, responsible for The National Theatre’s Shed and many others, which has agreed to project manage the scheme.
But who campaigners really need to persuade is the council which they need to sell them the lease to the old library.
They need the public to fill in a 30-second online survey to prove there is a demand for the centre which supporters say would be entirely self-funding.
Mr Steele, said: “It isn’t in the bag yet. We would like as many responses as possible as the council could still decide against us.”
Directors Mr Steele and Julie Saunders say there would be something for everyone with films, theatre, music, comedy, dance, a cafe, restaurant and bar, family activities and workshops and rooms to hire.
They say it will create jobs and help regenerate Acton while being entirely self-funded through revenue and fundraising.
Mr Steele added: “The fact it’s the elections means it’s a great time to talk about the arts centre. We need people to talk to their councillors.
“I’m very hopeful. We really believe it’s going to happen and it would be a great thing for Acton to have, we just have to demonstrate the level of support and the decision will be made later in the year.”
Leader of the council, Julian Bell, said: “The proceeds from the sale of the Acton Library building is to help us meet the cost of the leisure centre, library and community facilities at Acton Town Hall.
“We are supportive of this group’s plan and have met with them several times, however the building will need to be sold on the open market and, when considering a bid from any group, we will need to take into account both the price they are able to pay and their ability to keep the listed building in good repair in the future.”
The Old Library Arts Centre Acton became a registered charity at the end of last year.
Visit www.oldlibraryacton.co.uk to find out more and complete the survey.
