shopping breaks in glasgow

Why not take advantage of these great shopping oppurtunities with one of our shopping breaks?

Buchanan Galleries

Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Street
Tel: 014 1333 9898

This shopping centre is the biggest city centre development in the whole of Scotland, covering an expanse of 600,000 square feet. It opened in 1998 at the top end of Buchanan Street, next to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Buchanan Galleries at the top end of Buchanan Street, predominantly offering more clothes stores with slightly more street cred. The Galleries is home to the three major outlets of Habitat, Next and John Lewis. The odd smaller stores Ortak, Swarovski, The Bear Company, The Gadget Shop and many more.

Buchanan Galleries is a fanastic way to spend anytime shopping and easing into retail therapy. It has around 80 other high street shops including Next, Boots and Hennes. John Lewis and Habitat both have cafes and the food gallery on the second floor.

The Buchanan Galleries certainly come equipped with one of the most convenient and well lit car parks in Glasgow. The centre is easy to get to as it's only three minutes' drive from the M8 motorway and with 4,500 spaces it won't be a problem parking.

Open Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat; 9am-8pm Thu; 11am-5pm Sun. Nearest Train: Buchanan Street.

Princess Square

Princes Square
48 Buchanan Street
Glasgow G1
Tel: 0141 221 0324

A replica of Foucault's Pendulum, which demonstrate that the earth is turning, is the centrepiece of this city-centre mecca of 'must visit' shops and restaurants ranged over six floors. The range of upmarket outlets is overwhelming, so watch that credit card, it might just get away from you and wreak havoc. Hugo, Calvin Klein, French Connection, Reiss, Whistles & Morgan outlets might cause some damage.

This is perhaps the symbol of the new improved, culturally capitalised, 'designer' Glasgow. You might love it or loath it, but it has become as much a part of Glasgow.

Open 9am-1am Mon-Sat; 11.30am-5.30pm Sun.

Italian Centre

The Italian Centre
John Street / Ingram Street
Glasgow.
Tel: 0141 552 6099

World famous names - wonderful atmosphere - not to be missed.

A selection of the finest Italian designer stores and the UK's first Versace store, with pavement cafes completing the centre's cool and contemporary theme.

St. Enoch Centre

St Enoch Square
55 St Enoch Square
Tel: +44 141 204 3900

The St. Enoch Centre, still the largest glass structure in Europe, prides itself on being a fun, family, and friendly shopping centre. The complex contains over 80 stores, a wide variety shops include many British high street stores here such as Boots, BhS, Debenhams, Oasis & Burton.

The centre boasts Scotland's biggest food court, with over 850 seats and food outlets such as Sandwich Delight, Sea Fresh, Spuds 'r' Us, Di Maggios plus lots more. It has become one of Glasgow's best-known landmarks.

The Centre started trading in May 1989 and was officially opened by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, in May 1990.

Ineresting fact, when St. Enoch Square was first opened in 1783 it was first used for grazing sheep!

The site has also played host to the St Enoch Church and St Enoch Hotel. Making the location a very bustling place since the late 1700's. A far sight from what it is now.

There is plently of stuff to do for the kids with a kiddies play area and personal Kiddy's Cabs (saves having to drag them everywhere) Older kids can enjoy the two-man ride simulator!

St Enoch offers a wide range of choice which is ideal for everyone and far more enjoyable to be indoors rather out in Glasgow's rainy, damp weather.

The St.Enoch Centre is open every day throughout the year except Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Our current opening times are:
Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 6:00pm

Argyle Street Arcade

Argyll Arcade Shopping Mall
30 Buchanan Street
Glasgow.
Tel: 0141 221 6680

One of Britain’s oldest covered shopping arcades, built in 1827.

Argyll Arcade is a covered street which has the biggest selection of 32 jewellers shops all under one roof. John Baird takes the credit for its ornate iron-framed hammerbeam roof which is as pleasing to the eye as the glittering contents of the shop window displays. The L-shaped arcade was built in 1904 and to this day houses an array of local jewellery designers' shops as well as antique jewellers' shops.

Sauchiehall Street Shopping Centres

Savoy Shopping Centre
Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow.
Tel: 0141 333 9507

A wide choice of cut-price bargains from small, independent retailers.

Not far from the Sauchiehall Street Shopping Centre is the Savoy Centre where you can stroll through 2 levels of small shopping outlets which a huge range of bargains on offer from paintings of Glasgow to cut-price videos, jewellery and furniture.

Sauchiehall Street Shopping Centre
177 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow.
Tel: 0141 332 0726

Great brands and great choice in prime location.

This recently refurbished - and always popular - shopping centre on the north side of the city centre houses a number of the regular mall shops such as Superdrug and WH Smith, as well as some more unusual ones like TK Maxx and Primark which aim to bring you top-notch brand names at discount prices. Well worth a visit and is surrounded by loads more great shopping destinations.

West End

The West End of Glasgow is worth at least a day or two of exploration. As well as the fine architecture of many of the residential buildings, the area contains Glasgow University, several major museums and galleries (including the transport, Kelvingrove and Hunterian museums), and various shopping opportunities.

The main shopping street is Byres Road, which starts at the Botanical Gardens and heads south; walk down the road for about 30 minutes and you eventually reach the Clyde. Byres Road is served by several tube stations, the most convenient being Hillhead and Kelvinhall.

Byres Road is filled with great shops selling just about everything. It's eclectic mix of shops doesn't contain too many chains, which is a relief. There are some great cafes and bars here too, so you can rest a while with a pint or a capacinno, take your pick.

Just off the main road is Ashton Lane. One guide book calls it 'one of the most attractive streets in the West End, and indeed all of Glasgow'. Perhaps they mean that there's no traffic in this cobbled side street. Ashton Lane contains a cinema as well as several pubs and restaurants, several of which appear in various "Best of Scotland" eating guides.

During the long summer evenings, the lane generates its own atmosphere, with crowds of people eating and drinking outside. Its just down the hill from Glasgow University so there's a real mix of people around.

The Barras

The Barras
Gallowgate
Saturday - Sunday: 10am -5pm

A historic marketplace that's sure to surprise!

An eclectic mix of covered and open stalls selling a huge range of goods from antique furniture to computer games. The Barras has gained an unenviable reputation for selling counterfeit videos, CDs and DVDs of dubious quality, often available there before anywhere else in Europe. Worth a visit if you're in the city over the weekend, but beware that it's definitely at the lower end of the Glasgow shopping experience in terms of quality of material services - but it does have great character and the ever-present opportunity for a genuine bargain.

Paddies Market

In operation since the 19th century, this flea market was started by immigrant Irish, who sold secondhand clothes to the poverty-stricken local population. Amidst all the tack there are treasures waiting to be found. Similar to Princes Square in its ambience ... only joking. However, by visiting Paddies and Princes Square you see all sides of Glasgow in about an hour. Take your pick as to which one you prefer.