A historic North London arts venue is set to undergo major restoration works after securing more than £600,000 in funding. The Harrow Arts Centre will use a £630,014 grant from the Arts Council’s Creative Foundations Fund to carry out essential improvements, protecting the building's fabric and ensuring it can continue to support creative activities, according to Harrow Council.
The open-access capital fund, designed to support cultural organisations across England, will enable essential restoration of the historic curtilage-listed Rayners Building, one of the borough’s longest-standing structures. The building is set to be fully refurbished to continue supporting a wide range of creative activities for years to come. The funds will also improve the building's energy efficiency, supporting Harrow Council’s climate strategy.
The Rayners building originally served as a workshop when the site in Hatch End opened as a school in 1904. The arts centre is one of 16 London venues to receive funding through this national scheme, which aims to reduce maintenance and repair costs, stem the loss of work from organisations due to degradation, and develop more sustainable financial models.
The funds are also designed to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance. Harrow Arts Centre will see upgrades including insulation, double-glazed windows, improved roof lights, external doors, and heating and lighting systems.
Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, Cllr Janet Mote, said: “I know how much our residents value and love using Harrow Arts Centre. I’m so pleased that we’ve been awarded this funding which will help restore the Rayners Building, offering an upgraded creative space for locals. The centre is a key hub that brings people and communities together. This funding is an investment for our heritage and our future, bringing benefits to the local community for years to come.”
The funding is supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts Council England, as part of a national investment in cultural infrastructure. Arts Council England has also announced funding for a major makeover of another Harrow asset – Roxeth Library.
First opening its doors in 1954, Roxeth Library in South Harrow was the first permanent library opened by Middlesex County Libraries after the Second World War. It will now receive £110,000 to be upgraded into a modern community hub, with works expected to be completed by spring 2027. The new design will focus on supporting quiet study, remote working, and family visits through flexible open spaces, new furniture, and dedicated study zones.
Harrow is one of seven London Library Authorities to receive funding through the programme. The funding forms part of the Government’s wider Arts Everywhere Fund, a £1.5 billion package to improve access to arts and culture across England, ensuring places like Roxeth remain at the heart of their communities. Cllr Mote said: “Over the years it has become a much-valued community resource, and this investment will ensure the branch continues to serve modern users.”
