A unique part of Glasgow’s west end is threatened by plans for new property development.  Our Gemma Brown goes for a cup of her favourite tea in her favourite café and finds fighting spirit in the tranquil setting of Tchai-Ovna.

I remember my first trip to Tchai-Ovna as if it were yesterday. A fellow tea-loving friend brought this mystical place to my attention with talk of tea that could only be described as tasting of Christmas. Before I even got as far as Tchai-Ovna I fell in love with its location.

Otago Lane itself was a first for me. I was astonished at the mix of businesses there including a record shop, Mixed Up Records, and bookshop Voltaire and Rousseau – and at the bottom of the lane, Tchai-Ovna House of Tea.

How to get there: from Tchai-Ovna website

The name of the Xmas tea, by the way, is yogi tchai and still remains my favourite among Tchai-Ovna’s wide selection – I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good cup of tea!

Not just a critically acclaimed house of tea, Tchai-Ovna also serves vegetarian food, shisha’s and alternative music events and exhibitions.  Each month the venue hosts musical treats rarely found anywhere else in the city – and usually free. Traditional Indian sitar music, jazz, folk, blues and hip hop; all events fitting the venue’s unique laid back vibe.

If your tastes lie in underground and hipster movements then Tchai-Ovna and Otago Lane are an important part of Glasgow you definitely want to visit. But I suggest you go there soon. Without even more community action the future looks bleak.

Outside view, from Tchai-Ovna website

Three years ago Glasgow City Council announced plans for a large building complex on Otago Lane, ultimately meaning the end of the lane and its occupants. There has been strong resistance from property owners on the lane with great support from members of the public.  A website called saveotagolane.co.uk documents everything that has happened during their long battle, generating support and help. They are also on Facebook at Save our Lane.

I went to Tchai-Ovna to see if I could find out more – and obviously to have a pot of yogi tchai. I went when it opens at 11 am to ensure I could chat to someone and to guarantee a seat. (Another Tchai-Ovna tip: it’s always busy!) I spoke to Martin Fell, one of three owners, who was happy to answer a few questions.

“We will continue to fight to save the lane”, was Martin’s answer when I asked if they could do anything to stop the plans approved by the council. He went on to tell me that the council had ignored over 4000 objections,  to his knowledge the highest number of objections to any planning application in Scotland. Perhaps that comes as no surprise to anyone who has been to Otago Lane.

Altogether six organisations would be affected by these plans; a total of 32 employees – with no hope of compensation.  “The whole plan makes no economic or social sense,” says Martin.

And that’s not all. Martin adds that there is an environmental issue as well. The River Kelvin wildlife corridor along the riverbank from Kelvingrove Park to the Botanic Gardens is also under threat.

Knowing the lane, I find it hard to see how this building complex would fit the character of the place and I don’t even imagine the new development would have the best views as the lane is enclosed by buildings.

Otago Lane is a tranquil and unparalleled little piece of culture right in the heart of Glasgow’s busy west end and it would be a scandal for it to disappear.  Become aware of the lane and what it has to offer and then do your bit to help: sign the petition and donate to the fight fund if you can. Save Otago Lane.