Come along and give it a go! Learn the art of stencilling with Mackintosh specialist Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw assisted by Glasgow School of Art Volunteers. The Stencilling Station is right next to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Miss Cranston's Tea Rooms, 217 Sauchiehall Street. There are also a series of short walks on offer Thursday 14th & Friday 15th at 5pm and 6pm and on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Tickets available through Eventbrite.
National Lottery Support for the Restoration of Mackintosh's Willow Tea Rooms Building
A grant of almost £4 million from the National Lottery is set to complete the restoration and preservation of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Willow Tea Rooms Building in Glasgow.
The £3.579m, award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will ensure the completion of The Willow Tea Rooms Trust's mission to conserve and restore the Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Willow Tea Rooms Building at 217, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The tea rooms and new visitor centre are scheduled to open for the City of Glasgow’s celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Mackintosh’s birth on the 7th June 2018.
The HLF award will allow The Willow Tea Rooms Trust to continue their work restoring the original tea rooms and famous Salon de Luxe. The Trust also plans to incorporate an interactive visitor centre, education and learning suite, conference facilities and shop to ensure that the project is sustainable for future generations to enjoy. It will operate as a genuine social enterprise delivering a range of exciting activities far beyond its original function as a tea room.
Lucy Casot, Head of The Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “What better way to celebrate the Year of History Heritage & Archaeology than to support the revival of these famous Tea Rooms. Thanks to players of the National Lottery, we are delighted that works by one of Scotland’s greatest and most influential designers will be restored so that they can be enjoyed by all as they were first intended.”
The Willow Tea Rooms Building is recognised internationally as the only surviving tea room designed in its entirety by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret MacDonald, had total control over both the architecture and decorative elements, from the interior and the design of the cutlery to the waitress’s uniforms. The major restoration project led by The Trust, will conserve and interpret the buildings unique heritage, increase accessibility with the installation of new visitor facilities and provide a range of opportunities for learning and skills development. The Tea Rooms Building will become a focal point for Cultural Tourism in the City, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Just as Gaudi is intrinsically linked with Barcelona, Frank Lloyd Wright is linked with Chicago, visitors from around the world will visit Glasgow to see and experience Mackintosh. We are offering visitors to our City the opportunity to learn more about the architect and designer at the same time as being able to relax and enjoy high quality hospitality within the unique surrounds of an iconic Mackintosh building.
The achievements of Glasgow businesswoman, Miss Cranston, the original owner who commissioned the tea rooms designed by Mackintosh in 1903 will also be celebrated within the visitor centre. Miss Cranston's entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen, as well as her enlightened views on the role of women, social enterprise and philanthropy, provide a fascinating reflection of Glasgow at the turn of the 20th Century.
Celia Sinclair, Founder and Chair of The Willow Tea Rooms Trust said: “Thanks to National Lottery players the important cultural and rich heritage of The Willow Tea Rooms Building will be conserved. Works to the exterior of the building are almost complete. The Heritage Lottery Fund award means that our vision for restoring the interior, commissioning furniture, crockery, cutlery and building the interactive visitor centre along with an education and learning suite, conference facilities and shop can now forge ahead.”
The Board of Trustees are supported by an Expert Mackintosh Advisory Panel who scrutinise every detail of the restoration. The Trust has also been supported by The Monument Trust, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Dunard Fund, Scottish Enterprise, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, Thomas Tunnock Ltd, Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust, The Dean of Guild Court Trust and public donations.
Professor Pamela Robertson, Emerita Professor of Mackintosh Studies said " The Heritage Lottery Fund grant is major step for the refurbishment of Mackintosh's Willow Tea Rooms. With this funding we will be able to bring the Tea Rooms back to their former glory.”
Alastair Davis, CEO of Social Investment Scotland said “Social Investment Scotland was delighted to be the cornerstone investor in the acquisition of The Willow Tea Rooms by the Willow Tea Rooms Trust in 2015. We provided additional cashflow funding to bridge the secured grant monies in 2017 to allow the completion of the external façade renovation works. As well as supporting the restoration of The Willow Tea Rooms, these investments will help create jobs, support tourism and open up the world of Scottish artistry and architecture to a wider social demographic. Importantly, the Trust’s ability to generate revenue from the retail outlet and rented commercial space next door will help to make it financially sustainable. This is an excellent example of how taking on investment and a social enterprise business model can secure the long term future of charities like the Willow Tea Room Trust.”
The HLF award will allow The Willow Tea Rooms Trust to continue their work restoring the original tea rooms and famous Salon de Luxe. The Trust also plans to incorporate an interactive visitor centre, education and learning suite, conference facilities and shop to ensure that the project is sustainable for future generations to enjoy. It will operate as a genuine social enterprise delivering a range of exciting activities far beyond its original function as a tea room.
Lucy Casot, Head of The Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “What better way to celebrate the Year of History Heritage & Archaeology than to support the revival of these famous Tea Rooms. Thanks to players of the National Lottery, we are delighted that works by one of Scotland’s greatest and most influential designers will be restored so that they can be enjoyed by all as they were first intended.”
The Willow Tea Rooms Building is recognised internationally as the only surviving tea room designed in its entirety by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret MacDonald, had total control over both the architecture and decorative elements, from the interior and the design of the cutlery to the waitress’s uniforms. The major restoration project led by The Trust, will conserve and interpret the buildings unique heritage, increase accessibility with the installation of new visitor facilities and provide a range of opportunities for learning and skills development. The Tea Rooms Building will become a focal point for Cultural Tourism in the City, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Just as Gaudi is intrinsically linked with Barcelona, Frank Lloyd Wright is linked with Chicago, visitors from around the world will visit Glasgow to see and experience Mackintosh. We are offering visitors to our City the opportunity to learn more about the architect and designer at the same time as being able to relax and enjoy high quality hospitality within the unique surrounds of an iconic Mackintosh building.
The achievements of Glasgow businesswoman, Miss Cranston, the original owner who commissioned the tea rooms designed by Mackintosh in 1903 will also be celebrated within the visitor centre. Miss Cranston's entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen, as well as her enlightened views on the role of women, social enterprise and philanthropy, provide a fascinating reflection of Glasgow at the turn of the 20th Century.
Celia Sinclair, Founder and Chair of The Willow Tea Rooms Trust said: “Thanks to National Lottery players the important cultural and rich heritage of The Willow Tea Rooms Building will be conserved. Works to the exterior of the building are almost complete. The Heritage Lottery Fund award means that our vision for restoring the interior, commissioning furniture, crockery, cutlery and building the interactive visitor centre along with an education and learning suite, conference facilities and shop can now forge ahead.”
The Board of Trustees are supported by an Expert Mackintosh Advisory Panel who scrutinise every detail of the restoration. The Trust has also been supported by The Monument Trust, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Dunard Fund, Scottish Enterprise, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, Thomas Tunnock Ltd, Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust, The Dean of Guild Court Trust and public donations.
Professor Pamela Robertson, Emerita Professor of Mackintosh Studies said " The Heritage Lottery Fund grant is major step for the refurbishment of Mackintosh's Willow Tea Rooms. With this funding we will be able to bring the Tea Rooms back to their former glory.”
Alastair Davis, CEO of Social Investment Scotland said “Social Investment Scotland was delighted to be the cornerstone investor in the acquisition of the Willow Tea Rooms by the Willow Tea Rooms Trust in 2015. We provided additional cashflow funding to bridge the secured grant monies in 2017 to allow the completion of the external façade renovation works. As well as supporting the restoration of The Willow Tea Rooms, these investments will help create jobs, support tourism and open up the world of Scottish artistry and architecture to a wider social demographic. Importantly, the Trust’s ability to generate revenue from the retail outlet and rented commercial space next door will help to make it financially sustainable. This is an excellent example of how taking on investment and a social enterprise business model can secure the long term future of charities like The Willow Tea Rooms Trust.”
Summer Garden Party - Windyhill, Kilmacolm
We recently held our Summer Garden Party at Windyhill in Kilmacolm thanks to host and owner, David Cairns. Keeping with tradition, at this fundraising event, we were thrilled to raise £1400 from our tombola and auction to assist our project.
We sincerely thank our supporters: David Cairns, Rolf Thornqvist, La Bonne Auberge, Loch Lomond Distillery, Dumfries House and the Willow Tea Rooms Trust.
Another Exciting Milestone for 217 Sauchiehall Street!
As the sun was shining on Glasgow this morning, what a wonderful surprise to see a peek of the restored building at 217 without its scaffolding. Stunning!
Project Overview & Tours
We have been actively promoting the project by running a number of information sessions and private tours together with talks for interested groups. The Trust was also delighted to promote the project at the Lyon & Turnbull Spring Highlights Event in London recently.
Visitors and Groups to the Project Office:
- Friends of Glasgow School of Art
- Royal Inst itute of Chartered Surveyors
- Royal Institute of British Architects
Belling Hospitality Training Centre
The WTRT team were kindly invited to attend the Belling Hospitality Training Centre at Dumfries House in March to participate in the graduation celebrations of their inspirational students. It was an honour to be part of this special evening and for our Chairman, Celia Sinclair, to present the end of course Certificates and speak about our exciting project at 217 Sauchiehall Street.
It was an honour to be part of this special occasion and for our Chairman, Celia Sinclair, to present the end of course Certificates and speak about our project at 217 Sauchiehall Street.
We thank our friends at Dumfries House and the Princes Trust for making us feel so welcome.
Thanks for the Memories: Do You Remember the Old Willow Tea Rooms?
Did you take tea at the original Willow Tea Rooms? Do you remember the dainty cakes and immaculate waitresses? Did you stroll down Glasgow’s stylish Sauchiehall Street to enjoy a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea.
Perhaps you have photographs of dining there, old menus or souvenirs that help to tell the story of an important part of Glasgow’s history? Maybe you have a personal connection to the tea rooms’ original owner Miss Kate Cranston, or the now world-renowned Architect who designed them, Charles Rennie Mackintosh?
If you have Willow memories, photos or artefacts you would love to share, please email us at info@willowtearoomstrust.org or phone 0141 332 7696.
TWTRT Trustee, Ian Dickson, appointed Lord Dean of Guild
We congratulate Trustee Ian Dickson BEM DL on his appointment as Lord Dean of Guild at the Merchants House AGM on 30 May.
Please Help Us Reach our Goal!
In May we launched our Crowd Funding Campaign through Just Giving. The funds raised will greatly assist the internal restoration works of the historical building at 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Please visit our campaign 'Mackintosh at the Willow' at www.justgiving.com, visit our donations page here or telephone 0141 332 7696 to make a donation.
Meet the pioneering woman breathing new life into Glasgow's old Willow Tea Rooms building
Ann Fotheringham, journalist from the Evening Times interviewed Celia this month to hear about her plans to create a much needed Mackintosh hub in the heart of Glasgow City Centre.
The WTRT Team
Centre Front: Celia Sinclair
Front Left: Jean Sinclair, Philip Gregory, Narelle Mais & Alan Woods
Ann quoted "THEY were the epitome of luxury and style, a haven for ladies who lunched, and the vision of one of Scotland’s earliest female entrepreneurs. Now the old Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and run by Kate Cranston, are being faithfully restored by another pioneering woman, whose plans encompass much more than tea and tiffin."
Mackintosh at the Willow will involve restoring the tea rooms, including the impressive Salon de Luxe, to their former glory; creating a visitor centre, education hub and exhibition; and involving apprentices in the building of more than 400 pieces of furniture.
More than 200,000 people are expected to visit in 2018 and the education centre will play host to 2500 children. It’s estimated it will bring in £1m to the local economy, as tourists flock to the first ever, dedicated Mackintosh ‘museum’.
The aim is not just to preserve one of Mackintosh’s finest buildings, and pay tribute to the original tearooms owner Kate Cranston, but also to encourage the next generation of artists, architects and entrepreneurs who follow in their footsteps.