City fashion festival set to launch in style
GLASGOW is set to host its first ever shopping festival.
The city’s Style Mile will take centre stage in the fiveday retail event planned for the end of the month.
Organisers hope it will further boost Glasgow’s profile as the best shopping destination outside London.
As part of the shopping extravaganza, a large-scale festival hub will be set up on Buchanan Street.
It will be split into three areas focusing on fashion, beauty and lifestyle/home with professional stylists, make-up artists and interior designers on hand to offer advice.
Also over the five day event, retailers, restaurants and business along the Style Mile will be offering discounts, promotions and masterclasses.
Glasgow city centre has more than 1,500 stores including those on the celebrated Style Mile – one mile square containing some of the biggest retail names in the world.
It features a collection of high-street, designer and boutique brands including Buchanan Galleries, St Enoch Centre, House of Fraser, Princes Square, Argyle Arcade, John Lewis and Debenhams – all of which are participating in the festival.
Glasgow Style Mile Shopping Festival, organised by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) and City Centre Retail Association (CCRA), runs from May 25 to 30.
Joe Aitken, head of major events at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Glasgow is officially recognised as the UK’s largest and most successful shopping destination outside of London’s West End.
“Our Style Mile is home to an extraordinary concentration of some of the world’s biggest and most iconic brands as well as every major high street retailer, which sit seamlessly alongside a diverse variety of independent, boutique and exclusive designer stores. Launching the city’s inaugural shopping festival further reinforces Glasgow’s position not only as Scotland’s retail, cultural and style capital, but as a word-class events destination with a vibrant and diverse events portfolio.”
Anne Ledgerwood, chair- woman of the City Centre Retail Association, added: “Glasgow is well known for its shopping and what better way to celebrate this than with the first ever dedicated festival.
“The city and its retailers have put on a fantastic programme of events and we’re excited to share it with the people of Glasgow.
“From fashion and beauty advice to interior one-to-ones and character visits, there is something for all the family.
“As well as its shopping, Glasgow is well known for its eclectic dining scene and shoppers are encouraged to make a day of it and stop for a break at one of the many restaurants that will be running special menus and promotions throughout the festival.”