The refurbished Maryhill Burgh Halls are set to re-open towards the end of October 2011 – and when they do, the café and catering facilities will be provided by long established Glasgow company Grassroots Organic.
Irene Scott, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust said “The Trust is delighted to announce that the well known Glasgow business, Grassroots Organic, will be both the operator for the Cafe within the buildings and the catering provider for functions in the Halls.”
Louise Duncan, Director of Grassroots Organic said "We are really looking forward to opening up in Maryhill in the fabulous spaces in the newly restored Halls. When we started our store and restaurant at St George’s Cross in Glasgow over 10 years ago, it was with the aim of promoting better nutrition and good health. That aim holds true today and will be the focus of our operation at Maryhill Burgh Halls. At Grassroots, we pride ourselves on the quality and tastiness of our food – both meat and vegetarian. Our catering for weddings and events will be tailored to customer requirements and budgets. We will also circulate a monthly newsletter with a focus on seasonal foods and we will hold classes and talks suitable for a variety of age groups focussing on health weeks and health issues."
Image - From left to right: Melanie Farrow, Halls Manager; Louise Duncan, Director, Grassroots Organic
The Halls will be an exciting new destination for both the local and wider community and will once again be the beating heart of Maryhill. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, or to find out about our facilities for meetings, events, weddings and dinners, please get in touch – email us at info@mbht.org.uk or ring Halls Manager Melanie Farrow on 0845 860 1891 for more details or to make a booking.
Melanie Farrow, Halls Manager said: “The Trust is delighted that the buildings will soon be open for business and would like to invite everyone who is interested to come and see the buildings and make use of the facilities.”
The 133 year old buildings, which contained 20 stained glass windows designed by Stephen Adam in 1878 depicting the trades of Maryhill, have undergone an over £9 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls, save them for the community and create a thriving centre for local people and business use. The restoration work began in November 2009. Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured Halls and in so doing recapture the splendour of one of the city's best loved buildings. In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize for best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds.
Once restored, the Halls will include a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and garden courtyard. The contractor for the project, Graham Construction, has secured employment opportunities within the local community by creating three apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls restoration.
The Funders for the project are: European Regional Development Funding , Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2, Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund, Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund, Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund, Historic Scotland, Scottish Government Wider Role Fund, The Robertson Trust.