AN ambitious restoration plan to save a cafe which is regarded as the “home of Harry Potter” has been announced.
Plans have been unveiled to restore the Elephant House Cafe in Edinburgh, after it was forced to close its doors four years ago following a devastating fire ripped through the building.
Based in the capital’s Victoria street, the cafe became famous for being one of JK Rowling’s favourite writing spots in the early days of the Harry Potter series, with fans travelling from across the world to visit the building.
A campaign by the Elephant House Cafe’s owner, named Restore the Magic, has been launched, aiming to restore the building to its former glory while offering a “welcoming space” for writers, readers, and coffee lovers.
“The Elephant House has always been a home for writers, dreamers, and fans of literature,” said David Taylor, owner of the Elephant House Cafe.
“The fire was a heartbreaking loss, but the passion and enthusiasm from fans have been overwhelming.
“The scale of the devastation caused by the fire in such a historic building in the heart of a world heritage site means restoration is complex.
“We are determined to bring back this special place, and with the ‘Restore the Magic’ campaign, we hope to unite the community and fans worldwide to help us rebuild.”
Fans from across the globe previously flocked to the cafe to take in its “magical atmosphere” and scrawl quotes and artwork in the toilets – a spontaneous tribute that became a loved feature of the cafe’s history.
As part of the fundraising efforts, the cafe owners are now appealing for the graffiti “fandals” to support the crowdfunder for the opportunity to come back and leave their mark again.
The fundraising campaign will offer multiple ways for supporters to contribute, including exclusive merchandise, sponsorship opportunities, and donation tiers.
