This community hub in Southall offers outstanding facilities for people to exercise and socialise in. As part of the Open Havelock project, 36 abandoned garages and 2,000 square metres of empty space were transformed into a suite of new facilities for the community.
The hub includes a multi-purpose room, workshops, children’s play and learning spaces, a community kitchen, changing rooms and secure storage facilities.
Location
Open Havelock is located underneath homes that make up the Willowbrook blocks of the Havelock estate. Their entrance is found off Willowbrook Road. You’ll see signs for Open Havelock as you turn off the Havelock Road.
Willowbrook south entrance
Willowbrook north entrance
Directions if coming to the venue by bus
If you’re coming by bus, take the E5 bus and get off at stop K, Havelock Road. Walk along Havelock Road towards Willowbrook Road.
Programme of activities
Many classes at the centre are free. Please contact organisers to book.
All classes are ongoing unless otherwise stated.
Space available to hire
Multi-purpose room
The large multi-purpose room, a timber glazed room that opens out onto the garden, has been designed to meet a variety of community needs. It has a reclaimed timber gymnasium floor and mirrored back cupboards.
From exercises classes to exhibitions, community group meetings to birthday parties, the multi-purpose room is available to hire on a one-off or regular basis. Use of the adjacent community kitchen is also included in the hire as well as access to toilets and the attached garden space.
Willowbrook Road residents will be offered free hire of the multi-purpose room in 2024 (up until 31 December). This is subject to availability and hall hire requirements will remain in place.
Workshops
The individual secure units at Willowbrook North open into the undercrofts and would suit a small community of makers, fixers, creatives, microbusinesses and growers.
Workshops have secure doors and access to shared toilet and kitchen facilities.
Play Pods
Co-designed with local early years providers to meet the needs of children and young people, the play-pods provide opportunities for creative and nature-led play and learning.
Available for long-term hire, the play-pods include a toy library where play materials and learning resources can be stored for regular use. These heated rooms are decorated in calm, pastel colours and have smooth resin flooring. Access to toilet, baby change, kitchen facilities and garden space is included.
Gardens
The gardens in both the north and south of Open Havelock are currently undergoing a transformation, which will be complete in summer 2024.
Both gardens have a naturalistic feel and will be well suited to outdoor classes and gardening activities.
The garden spaces have been designed with and for children. With a focus on free play and community growing at their heart.
Communal spaces and services
All operators will have access to shared facilities that the site provides. This includes access to kitchens, toilets, the undercrofts and garden spaces.
On the south side this also includes shower facilities. The site has CCTV and an intruder alarm system. A telephone line and wi-fi is available.
We manage the building and site and will provide cleaning, gardening, security, and utility services to operators. Ealing Council provide the building insurance and waste collection services.
Pricing by space
Costs
| Type of space | Type of hire | Size | Room capacity | Cost | Potential use |
|
Multi-purpose room (Willowbrook South) Including kitchen, toilet and shower shared access (heated and ventilated) |
One off or regular use |
2079 sqft (Multi-purpose room) 297 sqft (kitchen) |
50 Person Room max capacity for seated activities or events. Roughly 30-person capacity for physical activities (dance, workout etc.) (If using both indoor and outdoor space, total capacity 100 people)
|
£25 per hour |
Training and gym Exhibitions Dance or exercise classes Yoga Community meetings Private parties and gatherings |
|
Play Pods (Willowbrook North) Including Kitchen and toilet shared access (heated and ventilated) |
Single let on 12-month basis (or shared between up to two organisations) |
297 sqft | 25 person per pod. | £224 - per month |
Community use Play Learning, education and early year’s provision Arts / music classes |
|
Leisure store unit (Willowbrook South) Including Kitchen and toilet shared access (unconditioned) |
Single let on 12-month basis (or shared between up to two organisations) |
148 sqft | Dependant on use | £124 - per month |
Leisure Sport Other recreational activities including water-based sports |
|
Workshop unit (Willowbrook North/South) Including kitchen and toilet shared access (unconditioned) |
Single let on 12-month basis (or shared between up to two organisations) |
148 sqft | Dependant on use | £99 - per month |
Micro selling Artist studios Bike fixing and workshop |
Securing a space
To express an interest in space at Open Havelock, please complete the form below.
Before you are offered a space, our team will be in touch to:
- Understand more about how you’re planning to use the space
- Assess whether your proposal is a good fit for the space and our other operators
- Arrange and conduct a site visit
- Ensure you can meet our due diligence requirements
- Find out what kind of support you might need to be successful at Open Havelock
- Answer any questions you have.
To express an interest in space at Open Havelock, please complete this form.
Further information
To sign up for our mailing list, arrange a viewing or ask any questions in relation to the space or current activities at Open Havelock, please contact us.