Agrarian Kitchen and Willow Court Asylum Tours make pitch for Willow Court buildings

Willow Court is a jewel in the Derwent Valley’s crown, and there could soon be a decision on its future, as two businesses eye it off. Who wants it and what they want to do.

Willow Court, New Norfolk. Picture: Chris Kidd

The potential of a key historic site in the state’s South could be realised, after years sitting vacant and derelict, as two businesses eye off the prize in New Norfolk.

Willow Court was built in 1827 as an asylum, and was later used as a hospital, which closed in 2001.

The Allonah, Occupational Therapy, Carlton and part of the Barracks buildings at Willow Court were set to be used for the expansion of the New Norfolk Distillery, but the business lost its lease after a dispute over what the council claimed was a debt of nearly $80,000.

Significant building works are required to be able to use the buildings, and at the moment, the council does not have the money to pay for the improvements.

But the council already has interest from at least two other businesses, seeking to renovate and occupy the spaces.

Award-winning eatery Agrarian Kitchen and the Willow Court Asylum Tours have both expressed interest in the historic buildings.

Severine Demanet and Rodney Dunn in the garden. The Agrarian Kitchen at New Norfolk who were one of the first to lift the Tassie food scene will re-open their cooking classes along with garden tours. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

On Thursday the Derwent Valley Council will vote on whether business pitches will be considered.

The Agrarian Kitchen operates out of Bronte building at Willow Court, which it successfully revamped, also converting the Ward C exercise yard into a garden.

Now the owners of the business hope to expand.

“The existing layout of the building aligns perfectly with our needs. Our plan is to renovate the space into an educational hub, where we can host school groups for part-day courses, invite speakers on food and gardening topics, conduct film screenings, and facilitate theory sessions for our gardening classes” the business’ owners said in a pitch to the Derwent Valley Council.

Willow Court, New Norfolk. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Additionally, we envision incorporating a microbiology lab for soil analysis, a seed library, podcasting facilities, and seed drying rooms.”

It said it hoped to use the Allonah building to expand its kiosk area.

The owners of the Willow Court Asylum Tours said they wanted to create a permanent presence at Willow Court, and possibly create a museum, visual and audio displays, a tourist centre.

They said they could run heritage workshops, open days, festivals, educational tours and other events from the spaces.

“Our permanent presence would increase visitation to the site, allowing us to raise significant capital to allow us to make improvements to the heritage of the site and provide an income to the Derwent Valley Council,” the owners said in a pitch to the council.

“The potential of Willow Court as an economic and tourism driver has been largely untapped and we believe we can tap into this market for you.

“We have embraced the vision of connection, activation, and visitation from our already successful tours, and we believe it is now the perfect opportunity for us to implement and work.”