Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has donated the freehold of the 30-acre Brooklands Museum site in Weybridge to the Museum’s governing Trust, after a 25-year tenancy during which the Museum became established as one of the most important cultural destinations in the UK.
During a special ceremony at which a plaque was unveiled to mark the transfer, JTI CCO Tom McCoy said: “It has been a pleasure to act as landlord to the museum trust, and it gives me even greater pleasure to gift this historical English landmark to the Trust in order that they may continue the great work they do.”
Accepting the title deeds to the site, the Rt Hon Lord Trefgarne, Chairman of the Brooklands Museum Trustees, said: “The transfer of the freehold of the site is an extremely important milestone for the Museum. Without the generous support of Gallaher and JTI in making this land available in the first place, and their assistance in converting a derelict former factory site to its new use, it would have been impossible for the Museum to establish itself. JTI’s exceptional gift of the freehold—after years of being an exemplary landlord—gives the Museum a secure basis for its future. We are all most grateful.”
Included in the land being transferred is a 300-meter section of the 1937 Campbell Circuit that served as the public entrance road to the Museum before its new public entrance via Brooklands Drive and Mercedes-Benz World was opened. This historic roadway will now only be available to the public for evening and weekend special events.
