Bid launched to turn former River and Rowing Museum into “future-facing” community hub

A NEW bid for the future use of the former River and Rowing Museum site has sought council support to transform the site into a “future-facing” community hub with indoor bowling and co-working spaces.

The River Centre Working Group submitted its proposal to the River and Rowing Museum Foundation Trust and American real estate services company CBRE, which has the building listed for £3m, for review at the end of last month.

The proposal includes leisure facilities like indoor bowling and laser tag, a music recording studio, co-working and education spaces, a café and bar.

It also includes provision to retain a smaller museum area in the space currently occupied the Wind and the Willows gallery.

Outside, the plans propose a river facing terrace, climbing wall, a basketball court, a sociable table tennis corner, and a seasonal splash pad.

It is one of several bids that were to be reviewed by the museum trust and CBRE along with Henley Town Council on Tuesday, in the first of several meetings to take place over the coming weeks.

Bronwen Vienna, who helms the River Centre Working Group, said its vision is to display rotating exhibitions in the museum space — including some collections retained from the River and Rowing Museum.

It said it would look to implement a low charge or free entry to make the exhibit accessible.

However, she said the group has not yet consulted with the trust on this proposal yet.

The working group, a team of “experienced professionals” spanning various industries, said it wants to “ensure the centre can continually deliver meaningful services for the community”.

The funding proposal seeks Henley Town Council’s involvement in the building purchase with a view to either leasing the building and land or paying back the council over 15 years with a long-term nominal lease.

Ms Vienna, a design consultant, said the scheme would generate income for long-term financial viability through its leisure facilities and private room hire. It would also seek to lease studio space to local NHS and dental services and businesses.

The group has said it would like to work with the BBC to make the site an official venue to “support emerging artists”.

Ms Vienna said more information about costing and funding will follow a public consultation period — after which some of the proposal may be revised.

The 35,688sq ft building was designed by the modernist architect Sir David Chipperfield and opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

The structure has won awards, including the Royal Fine Art Commission Building of the Year award in 1999 and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) National Award in the same year.

The museum’s foundation trust made the decision to shut down the operation in July, citing rising costs and is working with Oxfordshire agent Richard Venables to find a suitable buyer.

The building is designed in two different parts and is linked by a glass and concrete footbridge, with 78 parking spaces and it has a D energy rating.

While its three large galleries are in the process of being cleared and dismantled, the building’s office spaces are currently occupied by the foundation as it continues to wind down the operation. Part of the second building has been let as self-contained office suites.

The property is held on a long leasehold interest, and the sale will be subject to VAT.

The building currently has planning permission for use for learning and non-residential institutions (Class F1) and part use for offices (Class E), however, other uses may be possible subject to planning.

Interim director Kevin Sandhu has previously said the sale of the building could see the potential for a version of the museum to remain in the town, a prospect which has also backed by Henley Archaeological and Historical Group.

Henley Town Council declined to comment on the proposal at this stage of the process.