Buchanan Galleries Expansion | 392,000 sq ft | £400m | Prop

[Xtreminal]

How about bringing trams back and popularising Sauchihall street?

[RapidTaco]

Originally Posted by Mr Lee

Glasgow is an ever evolving city. I can remember when Union Street had many designer shops such as French Connection and Cruise as well as major players such as Virgin and HMV. However, due to the traffic problems of the street, and the availability of better retail units the street died a slow death.

On the other side of the coin, we have seen the emergence of Ingram Street as a destination shopping area, with Ralph Lauren, Agent Provocateur, Mulberry, Gant, Raplay and many others being based on this street. This looks like it will be further strengthened by the addition of Hugo Boss and another world class brand and later by the addition of the retail element that is part of the BAM development, which I expect will be marketed at high end retailers, the development of a four star boutique hotel at the recently sold council offices on Ingram Street, as well as the addition of an upmarket bistro/restaurant in the former National Trust premises.

There is also the news that Selfridges have/are going to sell the land they own at the Trongate, and it looks likely that we will see a mixed use development focusing on a mix of residential, retail and a 4 star hotel.

Back to the matter at hand, what lies ahead for both streets, and will the BG extension have an effect on both of them, also taking into consideration other potential developments and issues. I believe that Sauchiehall Street and Argle Street both have different destinys and will explain why.

Sauchiehall Street

Sauchiehall Street is doomed to fail as a shopping destination. First of all it is out of the way of most transport links. It is not near either of the rail stations or the underground. It is also served by a limited amount of bus services. Many of the current units are not attractive to new retailers and the buildings look old and dated. I believe that the street can evolve into a successful multi purpose district, attracting dining/bars, hotel, residential and select shopping. a lot of work needs to be done, and the proposals to redevelop the Savoy Centre would certainly be an aspiration to kick start the regeneration of the street. the major problem is with retail in Sauchiehall Street you are heading out of the city centre as you go west, and there is nothing surrounding to keep your retail momentum up in other streets. With major developments such as the Scottish Power headquarters, Sauchiehall Street has the potential to be the "gateway to the city" but it is going to take a lot of work to achieve it.

Argyle Street

Argyle Street is in a much healthier position. With fantastic transport links I can see it continuing as one of the premier shopping streets in Glasgow. It also has the advantage of St Enochs Centre, and hotels such as the Grand Central Hotel and the Radisson in close proximity. M&S have just invested heavily in their store and Sports Direct are too, and overall there is a good mix of retailers there. The area will be strengthened by the Ingram Street and Selfridges site developments and also if the proposed hotel developments on Argyle Street, and the Doubletree Hilton on Clyde Street become a reality. Should St Enoch be sold to the right people I imagine there will be further development to attract more retailers to the centre and keep shoppers visiting the vicinity.

I hope all areas of the city centre improve, and can only see the expansion of the Galleries as a good thing. It is utilising "dead space" and will result in the improvement of the public realm of the surrounding area. I am sure the retail aspect will bring many new names to Glasgow which we can speculate on once further plans have been submitted that might provide details of the number and size of units within the new centre.

Heard a wee rumour that Bo Concept would at least consider a move to the new Queen St/Ingram St retail location.

[R.K.Teck]

----POSTED IN WRONG THREAD----

[alabro]

What is the plan for the old JJB unit in Argyll Street? Will Sports Direct be moving their store along and into it as it's a better layout?

[Mr. B]

Don't know about the JJB unit, but Sports direct have a planning application in for extending their store on Argyle Street, so it's highly unlikely they would move now.

[Jord]

Sports Direct are expanding their existing Argyle Street store into the Gift World unit.

[bestbud]

Sports Direct can go and take a flying fcuk to themselves. I'd rather Argyle Street was desolate than have a larger Sports Direct Unit.

In fact, desolate would still look tidier anyway.

[Jord]

I was in the Sports Direct on Argyle Street a few months ago for running shoes and it's actually really tidy and organised inside.