Buchanan Galleries marks Purple Tuesday with charity partnerships

30 Oct 2025

Buchanan Galleries is marking Purple Tuesday (4 November) with a series of initiatives designed to champion accessibility and inclusion within the centre.

Purple Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to improving the customer experience for disabled people and their families, promoting accessibility in all aspects of business. This year, Buchanan Galleries has partnered with Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) and Guide Dogs Scotland to raise awareness and demonstrate its ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

GDA is a leading disabled people-led organisation with over 5,500 members across Glasgow. The charity works to build confidence, skills, and connections among disabled people through accessible programmes, learning, and advocacy. It leads several impactful initiatives, including EmPOWER 65 - which helps older people to save money on household costs, and develop essential digital skills to stay safe online and AHEAD (Actions for Health, Equalities and Self-Determination), which provides wellbeing support for those awaiting health or social care services.

Representatives from GDA will be located in the main atrium of Buchanan Galleries on Tuesday 4 November, from 10am to 3pm, engaging with guests, sharing information about their services, and raising vital funds to support its ongoing work within the local community in Glasgow.

Guide Dogs Scotland will also be present in front of the centre’s iconic flower wall, raising awareness of their vital work training puppies to become life-changing companions for people with visual impairments. The charity supports more than two million people across the UK living with sight loss to live independently and confidently.

Kathy Murdoch, Centre Director at Buchanan Galleries, said, “We’re proud to support Purple Tuesday and the incredible work of Glasgow Disability Alliance and Guide Dogs Scotland.

“Through partnerships like these, we continue to learn from organisations that champion accessibility every day, helping us make meaningful improvements to the customer experience and create a space where everyone feels valued and represented.”

Further accessibility facilities at Buchanan Galleries include:

• SignLive: A video relay service that enables deaf and hard of hearing guests to connect with a live BSL interpreter during opening hours. By scanning QR codes located around the centre, guests can access an interpreter who will speak directly with a member of staff and sign their responses back in real time.
• Accessible parking: 68 disabled parking spaces are conveniently located close to the entrance lobbies on car park levels 2-5.
• Toilets: Disabled toilets are available on the Ground Floor, First Floor, and Second Floor, and are accessible with a RADAR key.
• Quiet Hours: The centre provides quiet hours every Wednesday afternoon from 4pm – 5pm and every Saturday morning from 9am-10am. During this time, Buchanan Galleries will switch off the music in the malls and many stores.
• Autism Aware: Some staff members are trained in Autism Aware, and there is always someone available to assist if required.
• Sensory Backpacks: Buchanan Galleries provides two sensory backpacks for hire free of charge from the centre management office. These backpacks include sensory toys and other items for those who experience difficulties processing everyday sensory information.

Murdoch added, “Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of the Buchanan Galleries experience, and this initiative reinforces our ongoing commitment to ensuring every guest feels welcome and supported. As a show of solidarity, our team will be wearing Purple Tuesday armbands on the day to mark our participation and raise awareness.”

For details of accessibility services at Buchanan Galleries, visit https://www.buchanangalleries.co.uk/en/guest-services/access-and-mobility