Ravaged Glasgow School of Art

led to the implementation of an exclusion zone round the site The restored Mackintosh Willow Tea Rooms building in Glasgow has re-opened its doors to the public after a fouryear £10 million restoration.

The 200-seat restaurant and tearooms – known as Mackintosh at The Willow – at 217 Sauchiehall Street welcomes around 360,000 visitors a year and is a major international tourist attraction.

It includes the ground floor front and back saloons, gallery, billiard room and the opulent salon de luxe, plus exhibition, retail, learning and education and a conference suite in the adjoining building.

Celia Sinclair, chair of the Willow Tea Rooms Trust, said: “It is marvellous to see our first guests coming over the threshold of the restored building.

“We have worked hard to bring the building back to the original interior designed by Mackintosh of 1903. I hope that visitors will enjoy a cup of tea and light lunch in these amazing surroundings.”

Ms Sinclair added: “Mackintosh at the Willow, along with the visitor centre and learning and education suite ,are an integral part of the aims and objectives of the trust to educate and inspire, restore and preserve this iconic piece of Glasgow’s heritage.”

Mackintosh at the Willow has a predicted annual turnover of £3 million and will operate as a social enterprise and hub , creating 40 full time roles, plus additional volunteer and work experience and training opportunities.

It was the only building where Mackintosh had total control over the architecture and the decorative elements, including the design of the cutlery and the waitress’s uniforms.

0 The Mackintosh Willow Tea Rooms have been reopened