Grimm & Co partner with Lumsden Design to transform a forgotten gothic building into magical, iconic story destination

Award-winning design team, Lumsden Design, known for creating iconic spaces for international brands, museums and cultural attractions, are leading the design, masterplan and fit out for the final phase of a 2-year building project to create Grimm & Co’s new permanent Yorkshire home.

Rotherham-based children’s literacy charity, Grimm & Co, purchased their permanent home on Ship Hill in 2020, thanks to support from an Arts Council England small capital grant, but with delays due to the pandemic and additional delays on the construction phase that followed, Grimm & Co now hopes to open in Autumn 2023.  The enhanced and accessible offering includes their story themed café (Feastery), Emporium (with Book Nook and Apothecary to the Magical), function/theatre/banqueting space (Cliffhanger Castle), Grizelda’s Imaginarium and three different Writer’s Pad spaces to welcome schools, families and story lovers from across the region and beyond.

Lumsden are excited to partner with Grimm & Co to transform the beautiful, gothic, towered building into a wondrous, experiential place that celebrates the joyful discovery of stories.  This has been made possible with further funding from the Future High Streets Fund and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (in association with RMBC), together with support from Key Fund, Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund, plus support from an anonymous local donor.  Behind the scenes sneaky peeks will kickstart a crowdfunding campaign that enables businesses, individuals and communities to get involved and become part of the journey to help realise a piece of this history being made.

Deborah Bullivant, Founding Director of Grimm & Co said, “We are incredibly thrilled that Lumsden, with an impressive, world class portfolio including the likes of Kew Gardens, The National Gallery and Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The making of Harry Potter in both London & Tokyo, are bringing their expertise, vision and a touch of designer magic to capture our spirit and build our creative vision into a reality.  Lumsden are listening, designing and transforming this beautiful space into an enchanting place full of awe and wonder, creating Grimm & Co’s Emporium of Stories, an exciting, creative, welcoming, inclusive space for everyone, offering an unusual, imaginative safe space for children, families and visitors of all ages to enjoy. The children and young people who the charity work with are excited to work with Lumsden and have been invaluable advisers to the design and transformation of this truly remarkable building.”

Lisa Pogson, Chair of the Board of Trustees adds, “What an exciting milestone for this charity!  Lumsden’s reassuring and extensive portfolio demonstrates an impressive array of projects that are functionally fabulous whilst being cutting edge and stunningly innovative.  Our vision is in good hands.”

James Dwyer, owner and creative director of Lumsden Design said “We are immensely proud to collaborate with Grimm & Co, supporting their incredible work inspiring young minds through the transformative power of storytelling. Working with Deborah and her team has been a joyous journey, and together Lumsden and Grimm & Co are creating a magical experience, blending Grimm’s captivating storytelling with enchanting interior design, to spark creativity, inspire minds, and help build brighter futures for young people.