The Old Sawmill Cafe
Ingleborough Estates asked Form Interior to create a new Cafe, Ticket Office & Heritage Centre at the entrance to their Trail and Cave experience. The Old Sawmill contained it’s original sawbench and a wealth of historic artefacts and machinery, this formed the basis of the scheme. The serving counter with glazing to show off the original lumber rollers, a table built around a planing machine, saw blades recessed into bespoke made tables and a structural support to carry a creative display of vintage tools over the original saw bench were all crafted with care. The heritage of the Estate and Sawmill as well as it’s ground-breaking turbine technology were researched and we designed an exhibition to engage the visitors in the building and it’s past, with hand printed wooden panels as well as a timeline of history in the Turbine Room. The green of the original turbine was the only colour brought into the scheme to retain the simplicity of this industrial space. Sensitive application of design was key to bringing this building back into modern use while preserving the story and the spirit of the Sawmill.
The overwhelming response to the cafe and the work you did, preserving and presenting the history of the building whilst making it workable as a cafe has been admired endlessly and enthusiastically. The building certainly has a “wow” factor. Philip and I have worked quite a bit up there too - filling the odd gap or extra hands when things go crazy! We both enjoy it too.
It is being used by locals and visitors and we are building slowly with all involved full of ideas.
We are all looking forwards to an opportunity to re-group and celebrate what has been a hectic, but very optimistic start.
So I just wanted to thank you. Every time we walk up and see the ‘Cafe Open’ sign you gave us we think ’Thank you Judy’!