A new community group aims to "breathe fresh life" into a public hall which it says has been underused for years.
Isleworth Public Hall, in South Street, Isleworth , is currently run by the council's leisure contractor Fusion Lifestyle.
But Hounslow Council 's cabinet agreed last week to grant a 25-year-lease to Activebase, a voluntary group which has applied for charitable status.
Activebase hopes to assume management of the hall early next year, once the technicalities have been taken care of and the paperwork signed.
"I think everyone agrees it's been underused for a long time."
Richard Eason, who is one of five trustees of the new organisation, said: "The cabinet agreement is a major milestone and working together with the council we hope to realise our vision in early 2016.
"So many people we've talked to have said they know the hall's there but have never been inside. I think everyone agrees it's been underused for a long time.
"We're keen to provide community management and breathe fresh life into the building and get more people using it."
Under the arrangements, which have still to be finalised, the group would pay a peppercorn rent and would be funded through a mixture of grants and charges for those using the hall.
The council says the hall currently costs it £103,000 a year to run. It anticipates the new arrangement will save it £85,000 annually, while providing more opportunities for members of the community.
Mr Eason said there would be some paid staff but Activebase would look to members of the community, including those already using the building, to take on more responsibility.
He told getwestlondon it was too early to say what new events might be held there but said trustees were keen to support health and social care in the community, for example by holding activities like flower arranging or a reminiscence group to reduce the risk of isolation for older people.
Isleworth Public Hall is owned by the Vestry Hall, Reading Rooms and Lecture Rooms Trust - a registered charity of which the council is the sole corporate trustee.
The council first invited applications to manage the hall in 2013 and a consortium of four community groups was chosen as the successful bidder early the following year.
There were delays due to concerns about liability and running costs, and the consortium decided it was necessary to set up a new trust, namely Activebase, to run the building.
Should the model work, the council has previously said it would look at handing over the management of other public halls to the community.
* The hall will be open during the Isleworth Christmas Market next Saturday, December 5, when people can learn about activities currently held there as well as plans for the future.
