Creating a thriving community hub within this internationally significant site...

Mather & Co worked with Historic England and leading architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios on the regeneration of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings into a new hub for the local community; a place where people can work, play, learn and live.

This was not going to be a traditional heritage museum project, but a ‘factory of ideas’ designed to communicate the story of the site’s incredible 200-year history to new audiences, who may have never connected with heritage before.

The exhibition is exploratory but split into five general themes: 'Town and Transformation’, which focuses on the development of the site and how it has influenced, transformed and helped develop the town of Shrewsbury over time; 'Engineering and Build', which focuses on how Charles Bage designed this ‘fireproof textile mill’ through experimentation and innovation; ‘People and Process’, which tells of the men, women and children at the flax mill who suffered the harsh working conditions of this early industrial factory, and the experiences and memories of the maltsters and their families after the later conversion into a maltings; 'Adaptation and Change’ explaining how the site has changed to fit with the various uses; and ‘Legacy and Impact’ which details the final transformation and future legacy of the site for local people, businesses and visitors alike.

Visitors are invited to think about the more challenging histories in the interpretation and even vote on particular questions about the site’s connection to Empire, working conditions, climate change, technology, pay, and labour.

Gretna Green is renowned as the home of runaway marriages, and now visitors can step into the world’s greatest love story at the Gretna Green Experience!

Mather & Co is responsible for all design, management and production of the exhibition and retail area – including repairs to and restoration of the original Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

The Gretna Green Experience showcases the extraordinary love stories of those who wed at Gretna Green. Visitors enter the pages and illustrations of a storybook and watch as it unravels and tells the incredible history of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. A beautiful, engaging timeline showcases the iconic history of marriage at Gretna Green – dating back to 1200.

In addition to the brand-new experience, visitors will be able to have a wander around the historic rooms of the original Famous Blacksmiths Shop – when weddings aren’t taking place of course.

The Experience allows visitors to get up close to original objects including marriage registers, furniture, and the wedding dress of Dorothy Bell (grandmother of the owner). In the centre of the experience, visitors are immersed in a 360-degree audio-visual film, ‘The Unbreakable Bond’, that brings the history of the site to life around the original anvil.

We have worked closely with the All England Lawn Tennis Club for over 15 years to bring world-class visitor experiences to the Wimbledon stadium site. From an immersive museum and tour experience, to designing Debentures and bespoke photo opportunities, we have helped to bring incredible engagement to the site both during and outside of the Championships.

The museum combines unparalleled tennis collections with state-of-the-art exhibition displays and audio-visual presentations. We want visitors to feel like they are at the Championships – using object displays, interactive games and engaging films to immerse people in the energy of the event.

‘The Open Era’ gallery consists five different themes including – Broadcasting Wimbledon, A Year in the Life of a player, Behind the Scenes in the Dressing Rooms, The Rivalries Immersive Show and The Fame Game - with the main overall theme based around rivalries between players.

We have also worked with the All England Tennis Club to theme and brand their Centre Court Debenture facilities and external landscape with graphics, themed object displays and artistic sculptural installations.

Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a captivating visitor exhibition at the Trafford Wharf site.

Paul Lee, design director at Mather & Co said: “Working with ITV again is a great honour, as Mather & Co has developed a strong relationship with the renowned brand since the 2014 tour. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to create such an exceptional experience for this acclaimed TV show.”

Anchored by their innovative set design and graphic expertise, Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers. This extraordinary destination invites fans to step into the iconic replica sets of Rovers and Roy's Rolls, get up close to authentic costumes, marvel at historic props, and relive classic moments in a dedicated cinema space.

ITV’s James Penfold, says, "The new experience finds its home in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built media building spanning an impressive 16,500sq ft. Located within the north-east corner of the Production Lot, this remarkable structure features the exhibition, a 64-seater cinema auditorium, a retail area, and a cafe."

The Coronation Street Experience delves deep into the show’s rich heritage, featuring original props and costumes that have made their mark on television history. Visitors can expect meticulously replicated interior sets, including stepping behind the bar at the legendary Rovers Return and walking into Roy’s Rolls. The attention to detail will immerse visitors in the true essence of Coronation Street.

Prepare to step into the world of Coronation Street like never before. The Coronation Street Experience opened its doors to the public on June 10, 2023.

Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a captivating visitor exhibition at the Trafford Wharf site.

Paul Lee, Design Director at Mather & Co said: “Working with ITV again is a great honour, as Mather & Co has developed a strong relationship with the renowned brand since the 2014 tour. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to create such an exceptional experience for this acclaimed TV show.”

Anchored by their innovative set design and graphic expertise, Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers. This extraordinary destination invites fans to step into the iconic replica sets of Rovers and Roy's Rolls, get up close to authentic costumes, marvel at historic props, and relive classic moments in a dedicated cinema space.

James Penfold, representing ITV, remarks, "The new experience finds its home in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built media building spanning an impressive 16,500 square feet. Located within the north-east corner of the Production Lot, this remarkable structure features the exhibition, a 64-seater cinema auditorium, a retail area, and a cafe."

The Coronation Street Experience delves deep into the show’s rich heritage, featuring original props and costumes that have made their mark on television history. Visitors can expect meticulously replicated interior sets, including stepping behind the bar on the legendary Rovers Return or for the first time walking into Roy’s Rolls. The attention to detail will immerse visitors in the true essence of Coronation Street.

Prepare to step into the world of Coronation Street like never before. The Coronation Street Experience opens its doors to the public on June 10, 2023.

Mather & Co, leading visitor experience designers, announce their partnership with Dr. Patrick Duffy, who will spearhead their new Middle East expansion.

Dr. Duffy, a visionary executive with a remarkable track record in culture and heritage, visitor attractions, aviation, asset management, and retailing. He holds records of transformational strategies for financial sustainability, visitor experience, commercial development, and organizational development.

Having previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at the National Trust for Scotland, one of Europe’s largest culture and heritage organisations, Patrick played a pivotal role in achieving an outstanding growth in visitors over 7 years and oversaw multiple investments in heritage and experience design. His extensive tenure in leadership roles across various renowned attractions and services industries further demonstrates his ability to drive exceptional outcomes.

Commenting on the partnership, Chris Mather, Chief Executive Officer at Mather & Co said: “We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Duffy on board as the leader of our Middle East office – his wealth of experience and knowledge is second to none. The future holds boundless opportunities for Mather & Co, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Mather & Co has built a sterling reputation for crafting world-class visitor experiences that captivate and inspire audiences across the globe. Their portfolio boasts iconic projects such as The Olympic Museum, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, Norwegian Olympic Museum, Silverstone Museum, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and many more.

Patrick will be attending the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 28 – 30 May 2023. Naturally, he is eager to network with potential clients and stay abreast of possibilities that lie ahead for the Middle East.

Patrick Duffy said: “The Middle East is briming with opportunities for culture, heritage, leisure and attractions development as part of assertive and exciting policies in the region. Mather & Co is ideally placed to provide innovative design and experience ideas and solutions to help bring these developments alive. We look forward to engaging with the owners and developers of these initiatives at Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo.”

Experienced exhibition designer Mather & Co has been appointed to create an exhibition in North Uist for Sealladh Hiort - St Kilda Viewpoint, part of the Outer Hebrides.

Mather & Co is a multi-disciplinary design company with over 25 years’ experience creating leading exhibitions, museums, and visitor attractions. Its work includes attractions such as Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, Silverstone Museum, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Gretna Green Experience, The R&A World Golf Museum and The Royal Mint Experience.

Malissa Geersing, senior 3D designer at Mather & Co, said: “The St Kilda Viewpoint project is an incredible opportunity to interpret the spectacular landscape, wildlife and community of this unique island.

“By bringing together engaging interpretative techniques that bridge the distance to the islands – for those unable to undertake the voyage – we’re allowing the story of its landscape and its community to unfold. Visitors will be amazed by what they experience.”

St Kilda is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to nearly one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Sealladh Hiort, the new St Kilda Viewpoint Centre, will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the story of St Kilda and the surrounding Hebridean islands. As one of three proposed centres along the length of the Outer Hebrides, known as Slighe Hiort (the St Kilda Trail), the North Uist facility will take visitors on a journey through an exhibition inspired by the dramatic landscape of impressive cliffs and underwater scenery of St Kilda and other islands in the Hebrides.

The viewpoint centre will cover the archipelago’s natural history, its context in relation to other offshore Hebridean islands with very similar socio-economic histories and the role of St Kilda in the modern world.

Subjects being covered in the exhibition will include island formation, settlement, adaptation, evacuation and modern-day St Kilda.

Chair of Sealladh Hiort, Alasdair MacEachen, said: "We’re delighted with the exhibition design that the team at Mather & Co have produced for us.

“The subject of St Kilda is a challenging one to interpret - especially in this particular context when the Viewpoint Centre is one of three Slighe Hiort projects located across the Outer Hebrides where each has to keep to a limited range of pre-agreed topics. Despite this, the Mather & Co design far exceeds our original expectations, and we’re confident that when opened it will provide an exciting new facility for future island visitors."

Sensory is at the forefront of Mather & Co’s thinking. Visitors will experience the island, its history and nature by being immersed in audio-visual and sensory elements – including 360-degree views over the landscape.

Experienced exhibition designers, Mather & Co, have been appointed to design an exhibition in North Uist for Sealladh Hiort - St Kilda Viewpoint, part of the Outer Hebrides.

Mather & Co are a multi-disciplinary design company who have over twenty-five years’ experience in creating leading exhibitions, museums, and visitor attractions. Their work includes attractions such as Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, Silverstone Museum, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Gretna Green Experience, The R&A World Golf Museum and The Royal Mint Experience.

Malissa Geersing, Senior 3D Designer at Mather & Co: “The St Kilda Viewpoint project is an incredible opportunity to interpret the spectacular landscape, wildlife, and community of this unique island. By bringing together engaging interpretative techniques that bridge the distance to the islands, for those unable to undertake the voyage and allow the story of its landscape and its community to unfold, visitors will be amazed by what they experience.”

St Kilda is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to nearly one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Sealladh Hiort, the new St Kilda Viewpoint Centre, will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the story of St Kilda and the surrounding Hebridean islands. As one of three proposed centres along the length of the Outer Hebrides, known as Slighe Hiort (the St Kilda Trail), the North Uist facility will take visitors on a journey through an exhibition inspired by the dramatic landscape of impressive cliffs and underwater scenery of St Kilda and other islands in the Hebrides. The viewpoint centre will cover the archipelago’s natural history, its context in relation to other offshore Hebridean islands which had very similar socio-economic histories, and the role of St Kilda in the modern world. Subjects covered in the exhibition include island formation, settlement, adaptation, evacuation, and modern day St Kilda.

Chair of Sealladh Hiort, Alasdair MacEachen, said "We are delighted with the exhibition design that the team at Mather & Co have produced for us. The subject of St Kilda is a challenging one to interpret - especially in this particular context when the Viewpoint Centre is one of three Slighe Hiort projects located across the Outer Hebrides where each has to keep to a limited range of pre-agreed topics. Despite this, the Mather & Co design far exceeds our original expectations, and we are confident that when opened it will provide an exciting new facility for future island visitors."

Sensory is at the forefront of Mather & Co’s thinking – by making people experience the island, its history and nature through immersing them in audio-visual and sensory elements – including 360-degree views over the landscape.

Mather & Co is a leading design consultancy, specialising in museum, leisure, retail, and entertainment experiences. Established over 25 years ago, the multidisciplinary consultancy is based in Cheshire, England. Their work portfolio includes Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Gretna Green Experience, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, R&A World Golf Museum, Silverstone Interactive Museum, The Olympic Museum, Coronation Street: The Tour, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, and The Royal Mint Experience.

Grant Leisure is a global leader in the strategic planning and implementation of visitor attractions and resort destinations. Grant Leisure was founded on a vision for superior design and operation – striving for their projects to stay ahead of the industry curve by leaving lasting impressions that exceed expectations.

Andy Grant, CEO at Grant Leisure, met Chris Mather, CEO at Mather & Co, when they were both working on the Granada Studios Tour – now thirty years later, they have worked on several leading attractions projects together.

Chris Mather said: “I have been working with Grant Leisure for over 30 years and can personally testify to their unparalleled track record in translating creative concepts into feasible and profitable projects. They are our go-to resource when our projects and clients need a dose of reality.”

Both companies have worked on various proposals and completed attractions across the world, including Downton Abbey: The Exhibition and The Rosebowl Stadium Experience.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

Mather & Co and Grant Leisure worked with NBCUniversal and Emmy-winning writer Julian Fellowes to create a Downton Abbey exhibition for the internationally acclaimed TV programme Downton Abbey. The exhibition was designed to appeal to fans of the show and has toured across the world, including Singapore, New York, Boston, and Chicago.

Mather & Co is responsible for the design of the exhibition and Grant Leisure were involved in the initial concept development of the project – conducting market research and operational feasibility. The exhibition was voted in the top 10 pop culture exhibitions in the world.

The Rosebowl Stadium Experience

Mather & Co worked with Grant Leisure, who conducted an economic feasibility study for the project, to develop a visitor attraction and stadium tour experience at California’s world-famous Rose Bowl Stadium.

The visitor attraction is located in a former locker room – used by legends such as Knute Rockne but only used between 1922 and 1928 – and now restored as a museum. The 1922 Locker Room focuses on more than just the sporting games, including displays about music concerts that have been held in the stadium.

Please contact Mather & Co www.matherandco.com or Grant Leisure www.grant-leisure.com if you have a project you would like to discuss.