A cinema complex, art gallery and restaurant have all been promised by the chief executive of the charitable trust about to take over the running of Harrow Arts Centre, as she laid out plans for a multi-million-pound redevelopment.
The cultural hub in Harrow was earmarked for closure earlier this year after a series of local government cuts meant Harrow Council could no longer afford the £500,000 annual subsidy , and an appeal for public donation was launched in a bid to save it.
From June 1, however, Cultura London will be set up to safeguard and transform Harrow Art's Centre, Headstone Manor and Museum, Harrow Music Service to bring new facilities to the area, taking over the running of the centre from the council.
Plans for a £17 million redevelopment project include a new 600-seat theatre, a new two screen cinema complex and a new bar, restaurant, art gallery, cafe and shop.
Chief executive of Cultura London Sandra Bruce-Gordon , who is leading the project, said there will also be great opportunities for young people who need space to develop their music, drama and arts abilities with major improvements to the centre’s current performance space, Elliott Hall.
Speaking to getwestlondon , she said: "It's hugely exciting and a great chance for success in the area.
"We're hoping to get the cinema up and running by 2017, with the rest completed over 5-10 years depending on the fundraising."
Ms Bruce-Gordon praised the community's fundraising efforts and said it was down to their hard work that the team felt it could be possible.
"When there was a chance of closure, there was an outcry, with 18,000 signatures against the decision.
"It gave us the confidence to present our idea to the local authority.
"The local community have been excellent."
Over the past 28 years, Harrow Arts Centre has played a vital role in the creative lives of local people, both through its professional shows and extensive programme of community activities.
The centre hosts around 70 professional performances a year and caters to 100 diverse community groups.
Cultura London join a growing movement of charities taking charge of community services from local authorities, with Hatch End being monitored for how successful the model works.
Alongside the proposed capital development project of the Harrow Arts Centre site, the trust is managing the restoration and reopening of Headstone Manor & Museum, the future of which has already been secured by a £3.6million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is due to reopen to the public in July 2017.
The will also oversee the running of the Harrow Music Service, which supports music teaching in schools and events in the borough related to instruments.
