Industry is a key characteristic of Hayes’ past. The British record company EMI was a main employer in the area at its 150 acre complex in the town centre, employing 14.000 people until the 1970s. The site has now been developed to provide commercial, residential and leisure facilities. 

 

Projects developed for these areas addressed the challenging transformation from a vibrant, but economically struggling centre, to a rapidly growing Crossrail hub with prescribed aspirations.

 

Proposals consider Hayes’ industrial history, and develop alternatives for community groups and sites. These proposals are inventive in use and design, and developed as alternatives to the prevailing plans for luxury housing. Other proposals for the station area developed this prime location and core access point as “City Gates” into a new welcoming point for people arriving in the town.