Glasgow City Centre Has Christmas All Wrapped Up

Some of Glasgow’s leading retailers have joined forces with the public sector in an unprecedented campaign to promote city centre attractions, events and shopping during the crucial Christmas trading period.

 

Under the creative theme ‘Christmas all wrapped up’, the campaign, which starts tomorrow (14 November) on television and radio, highlights the city centre’s comprehensive and compact offer – made all the more special at this time of year by a feast of festive events.  

 

Glasgow’s super-league shopping status has just been confirmed (November 9) by the Academy of Urbanism, which voted Buchanan Street its ‘UK Great Street’ ahead of London’s Regent Street and O’Connell Street in Dublin.

 

And Buchanan Street features heavily in the campaign, alongside Buchanan Galleries, John Lewis, Frasers and the St. Enoch Centre – representing the four private sector partners in the initiative.         

 

The public sector agencies involved are Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau who are executing the campaign.

 

Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB), said: “Glasgow’s reputation for shopping just keeps getting better, and during the festive season, the city centre takes on a special magic.

 

“We are confident that tourists and residents alike will flock to the city to experience our unique blend of magnificent architecture, world-class shopping, fabulous restaurants and fun, festive events.”

 

David Ross, a director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said, “It is fantastic that leading retailers and city partners have worked together to develop an exciting campaign to promote the sheer variety and choice of shopping, eating and entertainment options available in Glasgow during the what we expect to be a bumper festive period.”   

 

The call to action throughout the campaign is visit www.seeglasgow.com which offers the city’s most comprehensive online shopping guide, featuring up to date information on everything from store openings and events to Christmas gift ideas and Glasgow Originals – those unique and wonderful things that are today’s true signature of Glasgow style. 

 

More practical information can also be found on the site, helping to make a Christmas shopping spree in Glasgow city centre an altogether pleasurable experience.                 

 

Buchanan Galleries and the St. Enoch Centre are offering almost 3,000 free parking spaces after 5pm throughout December.   And Scotrail is putting on more train services, including on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas.  Park-and-ride facilities are available at various Substations including Shields Road on the south side, which has 800 spaces.

 

City centre stores offering late night openings include:

 

 

Hamish Millar, General Manager of Buchanan Galleries, said:  “Glasgow city centre is unrivalled in terms of its diverse mix of exclusive and high street shops, with Buchanan Galleries proudly contributing to the excellent retail offering. We are delighted to support this partnership which will highlight just how much the city centre has to offer at Christmas time and underline Glasgow’s strong position as a major UK retail player.”

 

Paul Dibben operations director at Frasers Glasgow, said, “Frasers Glasgow is proud to be part of this new initiative, which can only enhance the city’s position as the premier shopping experience outside of London.”

 

Susan Nicol, Centre Manager at St. Enoch Centre, said: “Glasgow is justifiably proud of its reputation as one of the top shopping cities in the UK and the St. Enoch Centre is pleased to play its part in this campaign to further promote the city.

 

“Our ambitious £100 million redevelopment programme is now underway and we are looking forward to a busy and enjoyable festive season and to continuing to make our contribution to the Glasgow city centre shopping experience.”

 

Lindsay Ironside, Selling Operations Manager, John Lewis Glasgow, comments: "Glasgow has a fantastic buzz at Christmas.  The fact that the city centre's major retailers are pulling together to promote what Glasgow has on offer at this time of year is testament to the confidence we have in Glasgow's reputation as one of the most vibrant shopping destinations in Europe."

 

Councillor George Ryan, executive member for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said, “Glasgow offers visitors to the city centre without doubt one of the best shopping experiences in the UK throughout the year, but a visit over the festive period is truly memorable.  The events planned between now and Hogmanay will make Glasgow an even more attractive place to shop.”

 

Stuart Patrick, operations director at Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, added, “We are delighted to be working with partners to help showcase Glasgow’s shopping and entertainment to potential visitors.”

 

Further information from: 

Nancy McLardie - Head of PR

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

Tel: 0141 566 0830 or mobile 07710 349394

Email: nancy.mclardie@seeglasgow.com

 

 

 

This year, for the first time, all of Glasgow’s major city centre seasonal events are being brought together in Winterfest. They include:

 

 

Those looking to combine culture with shopping can choose from a selection including:

 

 

Visit www.seeglasgow.com for full details.