Bridgeton Umbrella

PRESERVING THE UMBRELLA FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Bridgeton Umbrella has been a focal point for the community since 1875 when it was gifted by the Sun Foundry to the City of Glasgow. This Category A listed cast iron structure is of national importance which is unique in its design and construction. Work is now underway to undertake the full restoration of the Umbrella.

Why are the works required?

The Umbrella is now nearly 150 years old and like other cast iron structures of its age it is showing lots of deterioration in the structure and paint treatment. To preserve the structure for future generations a full restoration under factory conditions and rebuild will mean the Umbrella can be preserved. Limited refurbishment of the Umbrella was first carried out in 2010 by Clyde Gateway to address corrosion and return the Umbrella to its original colour. Unfortunately, in the years after the works were completed, the corrosion and the long term deterioration has become visible again. An expert in the conservation of many similar structures is working with Clyde Gateway and has recommended a treatment which will ensure the structure will be in good condition for many decades to come.

What is happening?

To protect the Umbrella from further deterioration and ensure its place within the heart of Bridgeton for future generations, it will be dismantled and temporarily removed from site and treated and repaired inside a specialist workshop, providing the best temperature and humidity conditions for the work. These works will be carried out by a specialist Glasgow company with extensive experience of working on cast iron structures under the supervision of a Conservation Engineer.

When is it due to happen?

Work is now underway and it is expected that the works will take about six months to complete depending on the extent of repair works required, returning to its site in Bridgeton Cross Summer 2023.

Progress So Far

May 2023

The restoration works are continuing within the workshop with a large proportion of the pieces returned from the paint removers ready to receive their undercoating. Repair of the damaged column is also progressing with a new section being cast this month. When the pieces are ready to receive their undercoat, they are heated to between 200 and 300 degrees Celsius. This ensures that any trapped or surface moisture is removed before the undercoat is applied. Once the undercoat is applied and dries any blemishes on the metal casting are filled with a red oxide lead paste. This stops moisture being in bedded within the piece and developing into rust at a later date. Spandrel panels under coated and ready to receive their next coloured coating. New Foundations are being cast under each of the columns to support the structure to ensure it remains stable and secure when it returns. We expect that the first elements of the Umbrella, the Columns, will return to site towards the end of May. It will take a further 6 weeks to reassemble the Umbrella in full.

Progress Photos - May 2023

Progress Photos - May 2023

Progress Photos - May 2023