Glasgow Retailers 'Dare To be Different'
In response to Clone Town Britain, the report recently compiled by the New Economics Foundation, which revealed the blandness of the UK's high streets, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau will be emphasising the strength and individuality of the retail experience in Scotland's largest city through its website www.seeglasgow.com and other strategic activity.
As the most exciting retail centre in the UK outside London, Glasgow has its share of shopping malls, department stores and high street names, but the city also boasts a wealth of specialist outlets, which offer visitors a different, 'local' retail experience.
The Merchant City for example, is crammed with specialist boutiques like optician to the stars Niche Optical Tailor, Inhouse for outstanding contemporary furniture, designer labels at Cruise and the ‘Glasgow Style’ collection at Hutchesons' Hall, which showcases works by local artists and designers.
The City Centre has outlets such as Form at The Lighthouse and The Designer Exchange in Royal Exchange Court, while The Victorian Village arcade and several, independent fine art galleries can be found in and around West Regent Street.
Glasgow's West End meanwhile has a plethora of boutiques on Great Western Road including the acclaimed Timorous Beasties for their unique wallpapers and textiles, Galletly & Tubbs with their original accessories and ceramics, Fancy Dan’s and cheesemonger IJ Mellis.
In and around Byres Road is where you will find gastro delis Heart Buchanan, Kember & Jones Fine Food Emporium with Delizique on nearby Hyndland Street. Tucked away on Creswell Lane are interiors and lifestyle store Nancy Smillie and De Courcy's Antique Craft Arcade while Moon and Starry Starry Night can be found on Ruthven and Dowanside Lanes respectively.
On the South Side, Nithsdale Road delis and bistros La-tea-doh and Mise en Place are worth a visit, as is children’s boutique Bumble with its own designer range of clothing. Shawlands is also where you’ll find the original Beanscene – the first-ever offering from the funky chain of coffee and music houses founded in Glasgow.
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive – Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, commented:
“The strength and diversity of Glasgow's retail portfolio is being worked to great effect by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau through the Glasgow: Scotland with style campaign.
“It is this individuality, coupled with its compact, walkable city centre that really does make shopping in Glasgow true retail therapy.”
Dr Lesley Sawers – Chief Executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, added:
"If Glasgow is to continue to prosper as a leading retail centre then it is imperative that we play to the city's strengths.
“We must continue to highlight the unique benefits of 'city' shopping and reinforce Glasgow's unique retail proposition - both to shoppers as well as to existing and potential investors."
According to research compiled by TNS Travel & Tourism¹, 58% of the city’s tourists cited shopping as their main activity during their visit to Glasgow, while 28% pronounced it their principal reason for returning.
The combined average retail spend of overnight visitors to Glasgow per annum is estimated to be in excess of £100 million in local economic benefit.
A retail directory as well as features on shopping in Glasgow can be accessed on www.seeglasgow.com
ENDS June 2005
Further information and images from:
Moira Dyer - Senior Manager Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: + 44 (0) 141 566 0831.
Email: moira.dyer@seeglasgow.com
Note to Editors:
1. 2003/2004 Greater Glagow & Clyde Valley Visitor Survey compiled by TNS Travel & Tourism.