For that the second best shopping experience of the United kingdom, take a look at Glasgow. The amount and number of shops is surpassed only by London. Add varied shopping encounters – pedestrianised roads, shopping malls, markets and arcades – fabulous restaurants and eateries, and delightful historic structures all around the city shopping in Glasgow is not just a visit to the shops – this is an event!
Pedestrianised Street Shopping
Glasgow’s city center boasts three outstanding pedestrianised shopping roads where one can browse, shop or simply sit and individuals watch in complete safety. Buchanan Street, Argyle Street, and Sauchiehall Street would be the focus of the majority of the shopping in Glasgow, each with another character. Pedestrianised at its eastern finish, Sauchiehall Street hosts many well-known outlets for example BHS, HMV and WH Cruz, and smaller sized chain shops offering discount prices. There’s also two shopping centres – the Sauchiehall Street Center and also the Savoy Center containing many small outlets selling artwork, jewellery, clothes, furniture and junk food.
Buchanan Street has had over from Sauchiehall Street as Glasgow’s primary shopping precinct. Apart from some major retailers for example Frasers and Borders, there are lots of smaller sized, designer shops and specialized niche boutiques. Its large width causes it to be ideal for street entertainers who perform throughout the year and increase Glasgow’s busy, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Argyle Street hosts a few of the UK’s greatest retailers – Marks and Spencer, HMV, Gap, Next, to mention merely a couple of.
All In One Place
Glasgow’s malls really are a shopping Mecca. The Buchanan Galleries towards the top of Buchanan Street is considered because the best mall within the city center. It’s 80 shops including John Lewis, H&M, Habitat, and then are a mixture of big retailers and smaller sized boutiques which sell fashion, accessories, clothes and gifts.
The St. Enoch Shopping Center near Argyle Street may be the greatest glass structure in Europe and is easily the most central from the city’s malls. It’s very warm and friendly with lots of shops for kids for example toy shops, the Disney Store and gaming outlets, and houses big retailers for example Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, TK Maxx and Boots. Additionally, there’s an enormous food court. Seating over 850, you may enjoy an array of MacDonald’s, KFC, DiMaggio’s, and Chinese food, or just go ahead and take weight off your ft and revel in an espresso.
Princes Square on Buchanan Street may be the designer shopper’s paradise. It is a sophisticated mixture of designer and specialist boutiques selling fashion, lifestyle, gifts, and art and crafts, cafe’s offering fresh coffee and residential baking, and quality Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian and Scottish restaurants. It’s beautiful interior including theatrical center space with mosaic floor, glass roof, brass and glass lifts, and wooden features, causes it to be attractive for shoppers and browsers alike.
Merchant City
Merchant City is a touch shopping oasis supplying a quieter shopping experience choc filled with atmosphere. Situated a brief walk east of Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it’s little traffic, is an excellent spot to explore, and it is most likely Glasgow’s most cosmopolitan shopping area. Its chic bars, restaurants and occasional shops, exclusive boutiques, awesome galleries, and specialist outlets sell from antiques, designer jewellery, accessories and clothes. Nestled just behind George Square may be the Italian Center. Around its beautiful, authentic piazza are exclusive and designer shops and boutiques including Emporio Armani and Versace, and Italian pavement cafes the right spot to sit and relish the unique atmosphere.
The Barras
No shopping visit to Glasgow could be complete without a visit to the renowned Barras market. Merely a five minute walk along Argyle Street’s pedestrian precinct, the Barras is really a market filled with Glasgow character. Initially in early twentieth century, traders setup their stalls on barrows. The current Barras includes a street level indoor market underneath the celebrated Barrowland Ballroom, and outdoors a maze of stalls and bazaars selling everything from antiques, DVDs, clothing, and also to junk, bric-a-brac and burgers and chips. It is a fabulous spot to visit only for the climate alone.
Getting There
Glasgow’s excellent travel links make travelling around the town fast and simple. With multi-floor vehicle parks at Sauchiehall Street, St. Enoch’s Center, Buchanan Street and Waterloo Street driving was easy. Making your way around the town is created easy and convenient through the subway, known as “The Clockwork Orange” by Glaswegians, and trains, buses and taxis are all around and frequent. Most Glasgow shops are open from Monday to Saturday 0900-1730/1800. Thursday is night time shopping with shops open till 8pm or later and many bigger retailers open every sunday.
For that epitome of retail therapy, visit Glasgow for any great day trip or short shopping break.