This consultation is now closed - thank you for your feedback.
Hounslow Library is the third busiest library in London and a recent public consultation has indicated that the library is highly valued by its residents.
We believe the library requires refurbishment to ensure it is equipped with the latest technology for the benefit of residents.
An opportunity has arisen which would enable this refurbishment to take place.
The council has been approached by the owners of the Treaty Centre to review if we would be prepared to surrender part of our lease to accommodate a new major retailer who will financially contribute to the proposed library refurbishment.
The full modernisation of Hounslow library would not go ahead without the additional financial contribution but we would require the closure of the Paul Robeson Theatre and café area which is currently severely under used.
From January to June 2011 - only 13% of available time was booked at the theatre.
The space is mainly used for meetings, dance and performance but it is not being used to full capacity.
This could be because the space:
is sited on the 1st and 2nd floor of a shopping centre that shuts at 6pm
has no formal stage and the seating can only accommodate 252 people
is a very expensive community space (it costs an additional £240 per night to open because of the Treaty Centre security).
We believe that the meetings could be easily accommodated in the nearby Montague Hall, and that performance events could be relocated to Feltham Assembly Hall, Isleworth Public Hall or the Watermans Arts Centre which we support.
All these venues have sufficient capacity and therefore the loss of this hall space could be mitigated and alternative arts provision could be looked at as part of the wider redevelopment of the Town Centre.
The refurbished library would be a flagship for Hounslow which would attract national recognition and a library of which residents would be proud.
The new layout would maximise the use of the existing space with flexible study and meeting areas, a new children’s library, a teenage area, wi-fi and facilities for laptop use.
