Don't rush to visit (Buchanan Galleries)

Member Name: gargrave50

Product:	Buchanan Galleries
Date:	25/07/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: John Lewis - and the fact it is undercover - very handy in Glasgow!

Disadvantages: Nothing to spark the interest of serious shoppers, poor food hall

Buchanan Galleries is one of the newest shopping malls in Glasgow. It is well situated beside the Royal Concert hall on a pedestrianised Buchanan Street - the home of brands in Glasgow! It is well situated for public transport as it can be accessed via John Lewis from Buchanan Street Bus Station, or by train from Glasgow Queen Street Station.

The shops are laid out mainly over 2 floors, and there is a car park sitting above and around the centre linked by an integral walkway - ideal when it is wet. Generally the car parking is no more expensive than the usual NCP prices, however on a Sunday you can park all day in the Galleries for only £2 although they do tend to do some deals from time to time where they reduce Sunday parking to only £1 all day. There is also a car valet service available within the car park which do a great job and are reasonably priced. A mini valet costs around £15 and I have to say I was impressed to find my boot hoovered despite the fact it was filled with rubbish at the time! When paying for car parking there are several pay machines within the car park lobby and 4 lifts so even at busy times you don't generally wait too long.

Inside there is a good selection of high street shops to satisfy most shoppers. Buchanan Galleries brought to Glasgow our first and only John Lewis which is one of the highlights to the centre. Other than that there are the usual run of the mill stores Oasis, Warehouse, H&M and Next. There are a couple of stores which don't exist elsewhere in Glasgow and make the galleries worth a visit including Mango, Thomas Sabo and the Swarovski store which is good for picking up gifts.

The food hall on the top is basic and could do with improving. They offer a jacket potato place, Burger King and a couple of generic overpriced sandwich style places. The seating is hard plastic and the tables are quite close together which can make negotiating a buggy or a wheelchair tricky!

All in all, the galleries offer a good selection of stores, pretty much the high street under cover with good car parking facilities although can be expensive outwith their Sunday offer. A good base to shop in Glasgow.

Summary: Run of the mill shopping centre.