Save the Willow Tea Rooms

Today both the Herald and the Evening Times covered the news that the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow is under threat of closure.

This would be a disaster for Glasgow if this iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh building disappeared from the high street. We have been working closely with Anne Mulhern at the Willow Tea Rooms to find a solution to keep this building open. The Mackintosh Society has long-campaigned for improvements to take place to this building; including a major Symposium last year to look at the condition of a number of the Mackintosh buildings, as many of them require investment, repair and a more certain future.....

The work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is viewed with such high esteem around the world. He has played a major part in the transformation of Glasgow into one of Europe's liveliest cities and exploring his iconic designs is a crucial part of any visit.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Mackintosh Society, it is ironic that major questions still remain over the structural integrity and long-term future of a number of Mackintosh buildings. Much positive investment has been made over the past years, with notable success, both in safeguarding and conserving the buildings and in enhancing the visitor experience. The legacy is small, vulnerable and irreplaceable.

Our Mackintosh heritage has the same importance as our castles, historic houses and art collections in that it requires appropriate levels of care and investment to protect it for future generations. This principle is threaded throughout the national Tourism Framework for Change and The Glasgow Tourism Action Plan in Architecture.

Rather than spend £15 million on giving George Square a facelift, the money would be better spent in safeguarding these Glasgow Landmarks. With funding in place the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society would be able to take the lead in undertaking an extensive conservation audit for all the Mackintosh buildings.

Mackintosh is a unique asset for Glasgow and Scotland and it is imperative that all of the city and national agencies work together in ensuring that this and other Mackintosh legacy buildings have a more secure future.

This is the start of a campaign to ensure the Tea Rooms do not close or the building falls out of use. Thanks for your support.