Volunteers working in the lunchtime canteen.

The Lunchtime Canteens

The success of the lunchtime concerts spawned another innovation: the setting up of a canteen to provide lunch for the concert-goers. This was the idea of a keen supporter of the concerts, Lady Irene Gater. Assisted by a team of women volunteers, Lady Gater produced light meals, sandwiches and salads, biscuits and cakes, and tea and coffee at modest prices.

The canteen was such a success that in May 1940 it was opened to cater for civil servants and war workers. The National Gallery canteens were in operation until the end of July 1945, and raised £45,000 for wartime charities.

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