Brentford FC is backing the campaign to make Hounslow the London Borough of Culture 2021. Hounslow Council is leading the bid to be London Borough of Culture in 2021, a Greater London Assembly-backed initiative to promote culture across the capital. It will provide an opportunity for the borough to benefit from additional direct investment of £1.35m for cultural activity. And Brentford FC is lending its support.

Councillor Steve Curran, the leader of Hounslow Council, joined Brentford players and staff at the Club’s Training Ground, in Osterley, for some promotional photographs at the end of last month. The Bees train just a few hundred yards from Osterley House, one of the borough’s cultural beacons while Brentford FC Community Sports Trust is also involved in the project to upgrade sporting facilities at Gunnersbury Park – home to Gunnersbury House another cultural landmark. Boston Manor Park, one of Brentford’s former grounds, is another key cultural site in the borough.

Hounslow Council see the bid as a chance to use culture as a catalyst to create what is described as an ‘unstoppable movement of people, ideas and opportunity’. The concept of a ‘Culture Superhighway’ will unlock opportunity, connect people, and celebrate the borough’s cultural gems. These also include Waterman’s Arts Centre, just yards from our Griffin Park ground, and Chiswick House.

Jon Varney, Brentford FC Chief Executive, said: “As a club, we are committed to the borough. We are delighted to be building a new stadium as part of a new community and there is a long-term plan for us to train in the area as well. Both us and the Community Sports Trust have also committed resources to the development of the sports hub at Gunnersbury Park. Hounslow Council have been a great supporter of ours and we were all delighted to back their campaign.

“In places like Gunnersbury House, Osterley Park and Watermans Arts Centre, there are cultural landmarks in our borough. Winning the bid to be London Borough of Culture 2021 will give the council a chance to showcase these to a greater audience. This would be a great boost for the area to win the bid and we will do all we can to help.”

Hounslow’s bid was submitted to the Mayor of London on Monday 28 October.  A shortlist of finalists will be announced amongst competing boroughs before Christmas, with the winning bid announced early in the new year.  While the Mayor deliberates, you still have time to back Hounslow’s bid by visiting GoHounslow.gov and clicking the link.