The Atlantic Restaurant, commanding magnificent views over the west of the 1938 Empire Exhibition site, was modelled on the prow of an ocean liner in recognition of the shipbuilding heritage of the River Clyde. The Exhibition's restaurants were graded and visitors could select where to eat depending on what they could afford. The Empire was the most expensive public eating place, rated as de luxe in the official guide.
The organisers of the exhibition saw catering as the key to the success of the Exhibition. Nevertheless there were complaints of under-provision and the usual controversy over the supply of alcohol - seven of the sixteen restaurants were licensed.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC ef606.4 (1938)
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
Atlantic Restaurant, Empire Exhibition, Empire Tower, exhibitions, Glasgow Corporation, liners, restaurants, River Clyde, shipbuilding, ships, Tait's Tower, Tower of Empire, towers