Lonely at the top
Published by Anne Marie Hughes on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:10
A "byword for style and chic". That's how the 9th edition of Lonely Planet Great Britain describes Glasgow, adding that the city is "the king of Scotland's live-music scene" and "a shopping paradise".
The world renowned guidebook also says the city has the best food north of the Border and has "a warmth and energy that leave every visitor impressed".
And, embracing our friendly rivalry, Glasgow also managed to get one over on its rivals in the east as the guidebook declared: "Scotland's biggest city lacks Edinburgh's classical beauty but more than makes up for it with a barrelful of things to do".
What's more, despite being famously without Michelin-starred restaurants - Edinburgh has five - Glasgow is, according to Lonely Planet, is "the best place to eat in Scotland" with Café Gandolfi, Left Bank, Ubiquitous Chip and Stravaigin among its top eateries.
Glasgow's greatest commodity also contributes towards the guide's glowing review with the book reflecting that the people are "so friendly it's almost unnerving".
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Lonely Planet's recent acknowledgements of the city are extremely positive and reflect Glasgow's wealth of attractions. The city's Arts scene continues to go from strength to strength, this year's Celtic Connections Festival received global acclaim, the city's Film Festival attracted over 30,000 people, while Glasgow has secured a deal to host the star-studded MOBO Awards bi-annually for the next 5 years.
"First-class brands have also invested in the city in recent years, underlining Glasgow's international appeal, with Dutch brand citizenM choosing the city as its first location outside of Amsterdam and renowned toy store Hamleys selecting Glasgow for the brand's first Scottish outlet."
Already officially the best place to shop in the UK outside London, the guide further cements Glasgow as a "shopaholics' paradise".
Acknowledging the giant strides the city has taken in regeneration and development in recent years, the book says: "Once synonymous with bleak poverty and grim desperation, Glasgow has managed to turn things around to the point that it's now a byword for style and chic."
Looking to the future and preparing to build on current successes to establish a secure legacy for the city, Stuart continued: "Continual inward investment is essential to maintain Glasgow's drive for success and the Chamber is heading up the city centre component of the council's new City Vision initiative to develop a sound strategy for the socio-economic prosperity of Glasgow over the next 50 years."
