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| The Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon David Mundell |
The Secretary of State for
Scotland, Rt Hon David Mundell, visited The Glasgow School of Art today, Friday
22 June 2018.
Scotland, Rt Hon David Mundell, visited The Glasgow School of Art today, Friday
22 June 2018.
Mr Mundell first met with staff from the GSA, who have been working round
the clock to ensure that the academic work of the institution can continue. He
then went up to the site to see the Mackintosh Building which he had visited as
recently as 1 June.
the clock to ensure that the academic work of the institution can continue. He
then went up to the site to see the Mackintosh Building which he had visited as
recently as 1 June.
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| Mr Mundell was joined at the site by Raymond Barlow, Head of Building Control, Glasgow City Council, Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art. |
David Mundell said:
“Today I
visited the site of the Glasgow School of Art fire. It’s a scene of
devastation, utterly shocking to behold. Having seen the splendour of the
painstakingly refurbished building just two weeks ago, it is an absolutely
heartbreaking sight.
visited the site of the Glasgow School of Art fire. It’s a scene of
devastation, utterly shocking to behold. Having seen the splendour of the
painstakingly refurbished building just two weeks ago, it is an absolutely
heartbreaking sight.
“My sincere
thanks go to the fire service personnel who fought so hard to ensure no lives
were lost and the damage was not even worse.
thanks go to the fire service personnel who fought so hard to ensure no lives
were lost and the damage was not even worse.
“Today I also
met the School Director, Professor Inns, and several of his team. Their love of
this architectural masterpiece is clear, and their resilience and optimism in
the face of this terrible tragedy is impressive.
met the School Director, Professor Inns, and several of his team. Their love of
this architectural masterpiece is clear, and their resilience and optimism in
the face of this terrible tragedy is impressive.
“I share
their conviction that the Mack will one day rise again in all its glory. It is
still early stages in properly assessing the damage, but we all hope the
building can be saved, and the UK Government stands ready to help.”
their conviction that the Mack will one day rise again in all its glory. It is
still early stages in properly assessing the damage, but we all hope the
building can be saved, and the UK Government stands ready to help.”
“The Glasgow School of Art
is hugely appreciative of the support that we have received from the Secretary
of State since the fire and for his visit today,” says Professor Tom Inns,
Director of The Glasgow School of Art.
is hugely appreciative of the support that we have received from the Secretary
of State since the fire and for his visit today,” says Professor Tom Inns,
Director of The Glasgow School of Art.
“Only three weeks ago I was
able to show Mr Mundell round the interior of the Mackintosh Building to see
the tremendous work which was being undertaken by our teams of skilled
craftsmen, so it is particularly poignant to return with him to the site today.”
able to show Mr Mundell round the interior of the Mackintosh Building to see
the tremendous work which was being undertaken by our teams of skilled
craftsmen, so it is particularly poignant to return with him to the site today.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service handed the site over to Glasgow City
Council on Tuesday evening. The team
from GCC Building Control working with The Glasgow School of Art, expert
structural engineers – David Narro Associates, and Historic Environment Scotland are continuing their work to assess the structural integrity of the building.
Council on Tuesday evening. The team
from GCC Building Control working with The Glasgow School of Art, expert
structural engineers – David Narro Associates, and Historic Environment Scotland are continuing their work to assess the structural integrity of the building.
Ends
For further information on the GSA contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
Notes for Editors
Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this
week Mr Mundell said
week Mr Mundell said
“The art school
itself is a work of art—a jewel in a city that sparkles with architectural
splendour. It is worth noting that the building next door, the O2 ABC music
venue, has also been affected, and it is even older and has a colourful and
varied history. The art school was never a museum piece, but a living,
breathing, working art school—a powerhouse of creativity and a much-loved part
of the fabric of Glasgow.
itself is a work of art—a jewel in a city that sparkles with architectural
splendour. It is worth noting that the building next door, the O2 ABC music
venue, has also been affected, and it is even older and has a colourful and
varied history. The art school was never a museum piece, but a living,
breathing, working art school—a powerhouse of creativity and a much-loved part
of the fabric of Glasgow.
“Many people, such
as myself, are still in disbelief that this could happen again after the
devastating fire of 2014, particularly given the painstaking and careful
efforts that have taken place to restore the building over the past years. I
visited the building on 1 June as the guest at the opening of the 2018 degree
show and saw the restored library and the famous “hen run”. I was struck by the
love and passion of those involved in restoring the building. I am personally
devastated by the fire, a fact which I communicated directly when speaking to
the school’s director, Professor Tom Inns, over the weekend. My heart goes out
to the school, its students and supporters, who did so much to raise funds for the
restoration after 2014.”
as myself, are still in disbelief that this could happen again after the
devastating fire of 2014, particularly given the painstaking and careful
efforts that have taken place to restore the building over the past years. I
visited the building on 1 June as the guest at the opening of the 2018 degree
show and saw the restored library and the famous “hen run”. I was struck by the
love and passion of those involved in restoring the building. I am personally
devastated by the fire, a fact which I communicated directly when speaking to
the school’s director, Professor Tom Inns, over the weekend. My heart goes out
to the school, its students and supporters, who did so much to raise funds for the
restoration after 2014.”