Create an outdoor cultural venue in the new regional park
Why is it needed?
Working closely with residents, community groups, and relevant experts, Ealing Council is seeking to create a new regional park in the borough; the first in west London. Much larger than a standard park (over 400 hectares), most of the park would be open to the public, easily accessible by public transport and managed to a high standard.
This creates a potential setting for residents to access a more varied programme of events, including world-class music, cultural and sporting events.
Cities worldwide are seeing the benefits of major cultural institutions investing in affiliate spaces outside of their city centres, bringing social and economic benefits to communities. In Ealing, residents in Northolt, Greenford Hanwell and Perivale have fewer opportunities to travel for culture, with many looking for inexpensive, mainstream, local leisure opportunities (Up our Street).
Coordinated strategic investment in park infrastructure could raise the profile of Ealing as a place for culture and ensure this emerging opportunity maximises the benefits it can bring to Ealing residents.
Next steps
Key first moves include:
–Engage with key stakeholders, including local communities, cultural organisations, environmental groups, and potential funding partners to gather input, assess interests, and address concerns to ensure the project aligns with community needs and expectations.
–Identify and secure site.
–Develop relationships with cultural institutions with potential for affiliate space.
–Identify potential funding sources, such as government grants, private investors, philanthropic organisations, or public-private partnerships.
–Commission design studies including feasibility studies and masterplans.
–Explore partnerships with cultural institutions such as London symphony orchestra, Royal opera, or The Barbican
Alignment with guiding principles
1. Create a network of cultural venues and facilities that are easy to reach, affordable and accessible for local people.
2. Encourage bottom up, grass-roots cultural activities that address hyper-local needs.
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3. Adapt industrial, empty or under-used spaces and buildings for cultural uses, including artists' studios, pop-up shops, exhibition venues and cultural event locations.
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4. Utilise the existing and developing transportation network to connect Ealing with West London and beyond.
5. Embrace digital transformation to build a more inclusive and innovative cultural sector.
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Location
Within a 20-minute walking from Northolt Mandeville, Greenford, Perivale, Ealing Broadway, Hanwell, Southall Broadway.
Council teams
Parks and Open Spaces,
Regeneration, Arts and Culture