Plans for South Kilburn arts workshop revealed

Designers will be allowed to work at the centre for free if they apprentice young people in a trade

A community space is set to be transformed into an arts and industry hub, it has been revealed.

Designers Practice Architecture will transform the former home of the South Kilburn Partnership, in Canterbury Road, into The South Kilburn Studios – a centre containing a large workshop and studios for designers.

Tenants will be allowed to work there for free if they apprentice young people from the area in trades such as fashion, joinery and painting.

Organisers say they hope this will enhance the training and job prospects of youngsters in Kilburn, particularly within the creative industries. A spokesman for the Architecture Foundation, which helped appoint the firm along the South Kilburn Neighbourhood Trust, said: “The project aims to animate and beautify this under-used space, provide skilling opportunities for local young people, and provide rent-free working studio space for promising artists, and designers.”

Andy Donald, director of regeneration at Brent Council, said: “The South Kilburn Studios project is a tremendous opportunity to harness the latent creativity in South Kilburn as part of the wider regeneration process.

“It will connect young people with creative professionals who will provide mentoring, creative apprenticeships and advice. It will help embed creativity into the transformation of South Kilburn for years to come”

From spring until autumn this year, tenants, working alongside visiting professionals, will put on exhibitions and workshops.