A vape shop is set to open next door to the Willow Tearooms, renamed the Mackintosh Tearooms in February this year, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife and opened in 1903.

Mr Rawson said: “Following the Union Corner fire, I like the rest of Glasgow felt a sense of mourning and frustration. Lot’s of folks were just flabbergasted at how such a thing could happen and why an unregulated vape shop could be allowed to open next to a building with a largely timber interior.

Read More:

“I produced ‘Unexploded Vape’ as a reaction to this as I wanted to hint at the threat of many more ‘Unexploded Vape’ shops that might exist across the city. This piece in particular was meant to push for change, challenge regulators and concentrate the minds of those who are tasked with granting shop licenses in our heritage rich city. I thought it might help change things but I was wrong.

Ashley Rawson with his artwork ‘Unexploded Vape’ (Image: Ashley Rawson)

“Yesterday on a trip to the emerging ‘Sauchiehall Street Heritage District’ I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that a Vape and electronics shop was preparing to open next to Glasgow’s surviving jewel in the crown of Mackintosh heritage: The Mackintosh Tearooms. The Tearooms are stunning with glass, timber and plaster interiors: the sort that burn easily.

“I retraced my steps this morning but brought the ‘Burnt Heritage Flavour’ vape from my ‘Unexploded Vape’ installation as a protest piece. From destroyed Art Schools and Union Corners to butchered Victorian ironwork on St Vincent Place, there seems to me no end to the lack of care and attention that Glasgow is giving its heritage.

Ashley Rawson with his artwork ‘Unexploded Vape’ (Image: Ashley Rawson)

“It’s sad but even when we talk about and create ‘Heritage Districts’, we then allow them to be populated with inappropriate, dangerous shops with tacky plastic signage hoardings. These in no way enhance or reference the heritage approach mentioned by the marketing speels that adorn Sauchiehall Streets closed shopfronts. Rules, regulation and actual enforcement are all clearly lacking. Otherwise: why would this happen?

“I’m hoping that by bringing ‘Unexploded Vape’ back out that the Vape Shop can be stopped. Not only that, I’d love to see a ‘heritage shopfronts’ policy enforced on Sauchiehall Street rather than the plastic signage free for all that currently exists.”