Fairwell to the Pollok Shopping Centre

[glasgow987654]

I see they have started work on pulling down the East side of the Pollok Shopping Centre. Yet another place I spent many days working in.

Now would be a good time to get in and take some pictures as well as a look round the place before its gone for good.

I remember from my days in the control room seeing photographs from its opening day, one of which had a massive grizzly bear on a simply lead walking along not far from the public! Try getting that one past the HSE these days.

[Alchemist]

Ah that's sad, fond memories of the place years back
Only if Dumbarton had a place like that might have
made a difference.

[Captain Brittles]

I remember from my days in the control room seeing photographs from its opening day, one of which had a massive grizzly bear on a simply lead walking along not far from the public! Try getting that one past the HSE these days.

That would have been 'Hercules' - a fairly tame bear that frequently turned up at these type of events back in the 70's and 80's. Quite a famous personality old Herc was.

[Gazzathecoigne]

In and out of it almost every day for over a year when engaged to my ex. I could be seen at least once a week pushing a trolly full of messages up Hoisehillmuir Road, but I always took the trolly back right away.

No great loss though in my oppinion, as drug deals are frequently done in and around the centre in full view of the security guards who turn a blind eye. Littered with junkies, and it was no wonder we did'nt like the kids going out.

One of those many places where young lassies meet to see whos wean is best dressed.

[lordsleek]

When I worked in Leverndale one of my clients was the finalizing draughtsman on the design for the centre. I remember taking him shopping there and he told me this. Being ever the sceptic I checked his notes and it was true.

He was a really nice guy. I found it hard to believe, then , that someone who was so clever could become mentally ill. I know now of course that there are no barriers.

[DickyHart]

no words

[AMcD]

All this to make way for "Braehead 2" , and the second largest Tesco in the UK

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5019013.html

[teclo]

Ah that's sad, fond memories of the place years back
Only if Dumbarton had a place like that might have
made a difference.

Alchemist, what do you think of the _new_ town centre in Dumbarton, "Artizan" my ass.

I was there the other week and overheard a kid asking his mum "Whats this mummy?", to which she answered "This is the supposed new town centre"

[Alchemist]

Ah that's sad, fond memories of the place years back
Only if Dumbarton had a place like that might have
made a difference.

Alchemist, what do you think of the _new_ town centre in Dumbarton, "Artizan" my ass.

I was there the other week and overheard a kid asking his mum "Whats this mummy?", to which she answered "This is the supposed new town centre"

Well Teclo, it's just a rework of the orginal concrete monstrosity.
Very cheep and very 60's DDR. Still think the town would have
been a lot better if the shops had been planned to run alongside
the river.

The best example of the towns nightmare architecture is the
masonic lodge in Church street, compare it to the lodge in
Alexandria

[mustardman]

Its funny, don't really know the south-side of Glasgow. All my needs have been in the North-side of the city. Periods have went by, when I hadn't been over the water for like 2 years

[Alchemist]

Mustardman, still areas of Glasgow I've never been to. Never
been to Royston and such.

[teclo]

Well Teclo, it's just a rework of the orginal concrete monstrosity.
Very cheep and very 60's DDR. Still think the town would have
been a lot better if the shops had been planned to run alongside
the river.

The best example of the towns nightmare architecture is the
masonic lodge in Church street, compare it to the lodge in
Alexandria

I does look terrible doesn't it? And with the loss of the John Menzies I have no reason to go down there any more. With two Pound shops, four card shops, eight pubs it is pretty much a joke now.

As for the shops being down by the water, have you seen the town center flood? If they were any closer to the quay they would be under 4 feet of water every time it floods.

[My Kitten]

Ah that's sad, fond memories of the place years back
Only if Dumbarton had a place like that might have
made a difference.

Alchemist, what do you think of the _new_ town centre in Dumbarton, "Artizan" my ass.

I was there the other week and overheard a kid asking his mum "Whats this mummy?", to which she answered "This is the supposed new town centre"

Its awful isnt it. The glass thats supposed to stop you getting rained on outside somerfield leaks and its just finished. As for the signs - how cheap do they look??

I like the traffic going through the centre as it creats a bit of a hubbub but they really could do with something to draw people to the riverside as well as hiding the back ends of the shops at the riverside - bit skanky.

Maybe we should start another thread about this for us outsiders.

[Alchemist]

My Kitten and Teclo, have created a thread in
"Around the UK" for everything Dumbarton

[panzer]

I havent been in the Pollok Centre for years, the lighting was very very yellow i seem to remember, a really dingy place. There was this big crazy clock above one of the entrances, it moved or something every so often, I wonder what will happen to it

These shopping centres are everywhere now, they just opened up one at Easterhouse, The Fort or something. Considering the populations dropping like a stone you would think Glasgow was a bit over capacity with shopping malls, but then all people seem to do now is buy things. (the second largest retail centre in the UK/ the poorest, unhealthiest place in the UK.