Holmwood to close till 2022
The Society have been made aware that the National Trust for Scotland intends to close Holmwood until 2022, in response to this disappointing news the Society issued the following statement:
The Alexander Thomson Society are incredibly disappointed to have received news of the National Trust for Scotland’s decision not to reopen Holmwood until 2022, and have proposed reducing staff numbers at the site from five, to only one full-time member of staff and one part-time.
Holmwood relies on a tireless group of dedicated volunteers who run the guided tours, the tea room and shop, meaning that the overheads associated with staffing the site should be low.
The Society has asked NTS to explain why the decision has been taken to close the property entirely in 2021, instead of for example considering weekend-only opening as an intermediate measure, with a full re-opening following in 2022. This would also lessen the impact on the wider network of businesses in Cathcart and the Southside that benefit from their proximity to an NTS property.
We strongly encourage NTS to reconsider their decision and have asked for the opportunity to discuss this with them directly, in particular to understand whether there is support that we can provide with regards to fundraising, volunteer recruitment or event coordination that might help the Trust to change their mind.
The Society has serious concerns that the crucial network of volunteers that NTS relies on to operate the building on their behalf may be eroded during this extended hiatus. Many of the staff and volunteers who operate Holmwood have been at the property for many years, some over 20, and with that time comes an immense bank of knowledge and expertise which it would be a tragedy to lose. If only one full-time member of staff is kept on, the ability of this knowledge to be easily retained and for the consistent management of Holmwood to be maintained will be jeopardised.
One of the Society’s primary goals when it was first established was to save Holmwood and to ensure that it remains cared for and accessible, which is a goal we remain committed too. As the only Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson interior that is open to the public we believe it is vital to Glasgow’s heritage that Holmwood be reopened to the public in 2021.
Ends.