May Jun 2022 Westender
Lifestyle magazine for the West End of Glasgow
Lifestyle magazine for the West End of Glasgow
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Cover Image By Gregor Reid Photography
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Contents
Regulars
4 Editor’s Letter
Arts & Community
6 Yardworks Festival
20 Cover To Cover
24 Zipslide the Clyde
Out & About
10 West End Live
13 Restaurant Review:
GaGa Kitchen + Bar
Fashion & Beauty
16 Summer Wardrobe Edit
22 WIN! At Rainbow
Room International
Westender Living
28 Project Dream Team
37 Get The Look
24
4 | www.westendermagazine.com
Editor’s
Letter
Image © Gregor Reid Photography
Warmer weather and being outdoors
just can’t come soon enough.
A feeling compounded by the fact
I’m living in my lounge as I type this page,
having succumbed to Covid. The outside
world feels like a construct I may have dreamt
up as I spend another night on the sofa.
But in person events are back and I
don’t know about you, but I need them.
I need people. So as soon as we heard
the Yardworks Festival was back for 2022,
Nicola Maule popped along to SWG3 and
Yardworks Gallery to find out more – read
what she found out on Page 8 and mark
the weekend in your diary. An actual event
people, not an online zoom thingy!
And while we’re talking about festivals,
Greg Kane has found another, the Riverside
Festival celebrating electronic music, also on
in June. Greg’s music listings have moved to
a glut of riches since the start of the year so
check out his top picks on Page 10.
However, few sectors have suffered
like charities have and Spina Bifida
Hydrocephalus Scotland has been no
exception. If you want to amp up the fun
while generating much needed cash for a
great charity, then why not zipslide across
the Clyde for SBH Scotland (Page 24)?
I will if you will!
Suzanne Martin
/westendermagazine
/westendermag
/westendermag
To advertise call Suzanne on 07905 897238, or email suzanne@westendermagazine.com
Publisher: Westender Magazine
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial
contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions
resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.
Westender Magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
– electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior permission of the publisher.
www.westendermagazine.com | 5
Family run restaurant
in Jordanhill
AA Rosette award 2022
Modern Scottish food
Inside and outside dining
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Saturday
Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm (last booking)
Dinner 5pm – 9pm (last booking)
Sunday 12noon – 5pm (last booking)
Contact Details
0141 959 9666
info@theprancingstag.co.uk
www.theprancingstag.co.uk
1a Ashwood Gardens, G13 1NX
Crow Road
The Prancing Stag
Railway Line
Ashwood Gardens
Jordanhill Station
6 | www.westendermagazine.com
Acta Non Verba © Prefab77
paint I draw I inspire
WORDS NICOLA MAULE
Anew gallery space opened in
Glasgow’s West End almost a year
ago, which is always exciting news,
particularly in these recent times where
people’s connection to others, and the
inspiration and potential of the arts to enrich
that connection accelerated even deeper to
the virtual world of the flat screen.
Yard Life is a fixed, white space within one
of the railway arches adjacent to SWG3 on
Eastvale Place that plays host to the graffiti
and street art community. Brought into the
world by the team behind the internationally
respected Yardworks Festival, which once
again returns to SWG3 this coming June,
the gallery is open to the general public with
a rich programme of upcoming exhibitions.
Some incredible artists, who many will
have seen at Yardworks over the years will
have their work hung on the interior walls –
pieces that hold the same vibrant energy,
humour and imagination that goes into their
outdoor work.
Taking creative expression out of its
natural place and environment and into the
gallery space may not be a new concept.
A space for large-scale prints, tiny objects,
scrawled illustrations, aerosol masterpieces,
and art of all shapes and forms that places
sole focus on artists with street art and graffiti
roots, perhaps is.
Following the first Scottish solo exhibition,
A Slice Of Life by Prefab77, aka Peter
Manning in early spring
– an artist renowned for
his large-scale street
murals as well as
print and cut art,
the Yard Life Gallery
will open a mixed show
that will feature a
collection of prints by
many emerging and
renowned names in
graffiti, street art and
design from around
the UK. Select works
from Prefab77’s
exhibition, which
unveiled a series of
allegorical portraits,
proudly antiestablishment,
visually beautiful,
a creation of a modern
www.westendermagazine.com | 7
fable of gangs, goddesses, and groupies will
remain in the gallery for this next exhibition,
which opens and runs from mid-May.
The majority of the collectable work in
the show will be limited to small editions of
6 prints only and will highlight a variety of
printing techniques, unique hand-finished
details, and additional highlights such as
embossing stamps, custom-designed
stickers, and certificates of authentication.
Artists such as the London born,
and Glasgow based Molly Hankinson with
her particular interest in the representation
and celebration of women and other
marginalised genders will bring her strikingly
bold and beautiful imagery with its bright
and considered colour placement and use
of continuous line to the walls of the space,
alongside other contributing artists such
as Siguel, Ross McCrae, Chelsea Frew
and Frodrik.
Over the month of June this show
will evolve into the Yardworks exhibition,
which will include a large body of work by
international and local artists taking part in
the Yardworks Festival on the 18th – 19th
June at SWG3. The team behind Scotland’s
leading multi-disciplinary arts venue have
confirmed that their outdoor space will
once again be transformed into a concrete
playground where colour, creativity and
collaboration collide. Since its inaugural
edition in 2017, Yardworks Festival has
attracted the global
elite of the street
art and graffiti
scenes with 2019’s
artist list alone
featuring names like;
Smug (Australia),
Does (The
Netherlands),
Insane51 (Greece),
Saturno (Spain),
Mr Baker (Germany),
Balstroem (Denmark),
Welin (Denmark),
and, from the UK,
Voyder, RogueOner,
Mark Worst, Gent48,
Ziner, Bonzai,
SledOne, Soda,
Curtis Hylton and
Philth. For local
artists, it’s a chance
At Arms Length © Molly Hankinson
8 | www.westendermagazine.com
to learn from the best, meet their heroes,
and get inspired by what people are doing
elsewhere.
On this June weekend, visitors will be
welcomed once again into the Galvanizers
Yard as urban artists from across Glasgow,
the UK and Europe come together to paint,
draw and inspire. For the audience, it’s a
weekend of witnessing murals being created
live, from scratch, in front of you while
enjoying a range of delicious street food and
drinks. There will also be child-friendly art
workshops and activities on offer throughout
the weekend for even the youngest of
aspiring artists. While visitors to the gallery
can expect to see a celebration of urban arts
ranging from custom-painted art on miniature
toy trucks to original paintings, rebellious
needlecraft artwork and much more.
Yardworks Festival has always had
something for everyone – both street art
enthusiasts and those who don’t know it
yet. From a 200-metre graffiti maze and
Mia McGregor’s wildly popular Cubes
installation (both of which were a favourite
with kids and adults alike); to a talk from
internationally revered author, photographer
and subway artist Martha Cooper and the
commissioning of a huge, classical-artinspired
mural by PichiAvo, that can still be
seen today in the Galvanizers.
With the summer sun (fingers crossed),
it heralds good times and a welcome
opportunity to stray from the computer
screen and the world of online meetups
to a local space to relax, be inspired, eat,
socialise, and enjoy all that this festival has
to offer.
The gallery will be open to the public
Wednesday to Saturday from 12 – 6pm
and over the full Festival weekend.
Tickets for Yardworks Festival via:
ticketweb.uk
To purchase from the gallery walls:
yardlife.tv
www.westendermagazine.com | 9
10 | www.westendermagazine.com
LIVE
May
Larkin Poe
Sunday 1st May 7pm
SWG3 swg3.tv
Hailing from Georgia, USA, Larkin Poe
are sisters Megan & Rebecca Lovell.
They started making American Roots
Rock music back in 2010 and their
version features strong Southern
Harmonies, heavy electric guitar riffs
(Rebecca) and slide guitar (Megan).
They are often touted as 'the little
sisters of the Allman Brothers'.
These are two very proficient
musicians, be it on guitars or
singing tight harmonies. Over the
years the sisters have been invited
to collaborate with a who’s who of
musical royalty including T Bone
Burnett, Elvis Costello, Steven Tyler,
Jackson Brown, Keith Urban and Don
Henley. At Larkin Poe, expect a night
of sleazy Southern Blues fronted
by two compelling and undeniably
accomplished siblings. Megan’s the
oldest, so you don’t need to ask.
Choice Tracks: Larkin Poe
'Holy Ghost Fire'
Pinegrove
Tuesday 10th May 7.30pm
QMU qmunion.org.uk
When I first previewed this band in
2016 they played to a few inquisitive
folk at The Hug And Pint. Now they’re
playing to thousands of fans at the
QMU! Slowly but surely is the way
to grow a band for it to have any
chance of sustainability in the music
business and Pinegrove have grown.
Formed in 2010 and hailing from New
Jersey, USA, their sound is centred
around singer/songwriter Ewan
Stephen’s Hall and drummer Zach
Levine with the remaining musical
roles taken up by hired guns. This
2022 iteration of Pinegrove play the
same considered, thoughtful indie
rock that first got them noticed 10
years ago. It really is beautiful
modern music.
Their 2022 album '11:11' is out now on
Rough Trade Records.
Choice tracks: Pinegrove ‘Alaska'
Ian Sweet
Monday 25th May 7.30pm
The Hug & Pint thehugandpint.com
What fun, giving yourself a stage
name, creating a flamboyant persona
in order to live out all your creative
fantasies. Caryn Elaine Johnson
picked 'Whoopi Goldberg', Joan Wasser
calls herself 'Joan As Police Woman',
Sheena Mary McDonald plumped for
'Horse', Ella Marija Lani Yelich-
O'Connor goes by the name 'Lorde'
(for understandable reasons).
But Californian female indie rock
musician Jilian Medford must have
deliberated long and hard to come
up with the stage name 'Ian'. In full,
'Ian Sweet'.
But this gives you a hint of the
understatedness of the music 'Ian'
produces. It has real beauty in its
purity and simplicity, which belies
her musical training at the predigious
Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Another find for me.
Choice track: Ian Sweet ‘Sword'
www.westendermagazine.com | 11
by Greg Kane
June
Riverside Festival
2nd, 3rd & 4th June 2pm
riversidefestivalglasgow.com
The annual outdoor electronic music
festival takes place in the grounds of
the iconic Riverside Museum and The
Tall Ship on the banks of the River
Clyde. This year’s highlights include
Ayrshire’s own Bemz and the ever
inventive Róisín Murphy.
Choice track: Róisín Murphy
'Overpowered' Bemz 'M4 Freestyle'
Hang Massive
Saturday 11th June 7pm
Òran Mór oran-mor.co.uk
Anyone for some handpan music?
Stresses and strains of daily life
getting to you? Need something to
sooth your soul and bring you some
inner peace? Then try listening to
Danny Cudd and Markus Offbeat’s
band, Hang Massive. They both play
the Hang, a new-age percussion
instrument made up of two round metal
shields joined at the rim.
They shape the global handpan music
scene, with their take on it blending
dream-like acoustic melodies with
upbeat electronic sounds. Formed in
2010, they were one of the first acts
to become known for playing the Hang
and quickly became 'the epitome of the
Hang'. That’s a top business card tag
line right there.
Don’t expect their tunes to be 'instant'
though as most of them are over eight
minutes long and take a while to get
going, but it’s all for the better as
it’s more handpan beauty for us to
zone out to.
Choice Track: Hang Massive
'Warmth Of The Sun's Rays'
Chris Smither
Thursday 16th June 8pm
Cottiers Theatre cottiers.com
I look forward to becoming a wizened
old musician who’s still able to get
up onto a stage well into his 70s with
decades of experience behind him and
still manage to enthral an audience.
I’ll have endless tour stories to tell,
be able to draw from the hundreds
of songs I’ve played over the years…
it’ll be brilliant!
77 year old American folk/blues
singer, guitarist and songwriter
Chris Smither is living my dream.
His poetically crafted songs have
been covered by the likes of Bonny
Raitt and Emmylou Harris. He has a
beautiful finger picking technique
and a warm, comforting voice.
A new find for me, I’ve enjoyed
listening to him over the last few
days. Isn’t it amazing that music can
still find new audiences even after
all this time.
Choice track: Chris Smither
'Leave The Light On'
BROOMHILL DRIVE
12 | www.westendermagazine.com
BROOMHILL
SQUARE
BROOMHILL DRIVE
CROW ROAD
DUMBARTON ROAD
YOU ARE
HERE
MERKLAND
COURT
www.westendermagazine.com | 13
@ GaGa
Kitchen + Bar
Reviewed by Amy Glasgow
/theglasgowdiet
Having already made a name for herself
at her Southside Kopitiam, it’s no
surprise that Chef Julie Lin’s latest
venture, GaGa Kitchen + Bar, has been the
talk of the town since opening in December.
Taking over the former Six Degrees North,
GaGa brings cocktails and south east Asian
flavours to Glasgow’s West End.
The food menu is small and concise,
something I’ve grown to appreciate as a diner
– I always feel a menu with too many options
means a lower quality meal. Here, the dishes
are separated into different price brackets,
which correlates to the size of the dish
– the smaller the price tag, the smaller the
dish, and vice versa. The suggestion from our
server was to order two dishes per person,
depending on the size. Naturally, we ordered
far more than that.
We kicked the meal off with Taiwanese
popcorn chicken with lime leaf and kewpie
mayo, and prawn toast with chilli oil and
kewpie mayo, and what a way to kick things
off. I had heard tales of the greatness of
the prawn toast, and I can honestly say it
lived up to my expectations. The bread was
crisp and crunchy, the prawn filling inside
flavoursome and sweet, and I personally
cannot get enough of that crispy chilli oil.
I’d take everything bathed in the stuff.
The popcorn chicken was similarly
delicious, with super tender, juicy chicken
thighs surrounded by a light but crisp batter.
These two plates might have been the
smallest we ordered, but they were mighty,
and were my favourite of the meal.
For our larger dishes, we opted for the
pork belly malay curry, and the Taiwanese
style shin of beef stew. I can tell you now
– if you’re having some small plates, you do
NOT need two of the bigger dishes because
the portions are super generous. I mean,
I’m glad we tried them both but I essentially
had to be rolled out of the place because
it was far too much food. Of the two we
ordered, the pork belly curry is the one I
would order again. The meat was super soft,
although if you’re not a fan of fattier cuts this
would be one to avoid. The fat melted away
and the meat was flavoursome, as was the
coconut malay curry it sat on. I would have
picked up the plate and drank the sauce out
the bowl if I hadn’t been in public!
The Taiwanese beef was lovely and tender
too, but I felt the broth it sat in could have
done with a touch more flavour, and the
steamed jasmine rice we ordered on the side
seemed a bit overcooked, but those are the
only small negatives I have for an otherwise
delicious meal.
The service throughout the meal was
fast and unobtrusive, and given the volume
of food we ordered (plus the delicious Tipp
Topp cocktail I enjoyed), the value for money
is pretty damn good. GaGa is a welcome
addition to the West End and one I reckon is
here to stay.
GaGa Kitchen + Bar
566 Dumbarton Road G11 6RH
0141 334 9407
gagaglasgow.com
14 | www.westendermagazine.com
The Apeirogon
Counselling Service
Is life tough now?
Are you feeling stuck?
Do you feel confused?
Do you need a place where you
can feel safe, secure, and can explore
ways to move on?
I am a Person-Centered Counsellor
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offering therapeutic support and is a
Member of the British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy MBACP
Tel: 07518 948 407
email: Furlongtrisha1@gmail.com
CALL OR WHATSAPP 07801 656 128 / INFO@MANDIMOORE.CO.UK
The Rehab Hub Glasgow new satellite clinic
in the West End (every Thursday)
Sore stiff back? Hips pain? Knees not feeling
great or Foot Pain? Book with SJ MSK
& Biomechanics Specialist Podiatrist
Podiatry Clinic (Full Core Podiatry) /Injury &
Rehab / Shockwave Therapy / Laser Therapy
Medical Grade 4 / Soft Tissue Therapy
Medical Dry Neeling / Orthotic Therapy
Pilates/Clinical Pilates / Private Blood Tests
Injection Therapy (Steroid, Ostenil and PRP)
Call: 07523 147755 E: hello@therehabhub.co.uk
Based at Western Health and Racquets Club,
30 Hyndland Road, G12 9UP.
www.therehabhub.co.uk
ADVERTISE WITH US
// Glasgow’s best FREE bi-monthly mag
// Great editorial features: fashion, dining out,
health & beauty, what’s on, local authors
& artists, interiors & more
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For more info or to advertise
call: suzanne@westendermagazine.com
for a media flyer, or call 07905 897238
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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 15
Parkinson’s
Disease –
Tremor
Dominant
Welcome to the final article in our
series about different types of
Parkinson’s and what you can do to
start getting more control over your condition
and regaining independence.
Tremor Dominant Parkinson’s Disease
Basically, this means that your tremors
affect you more than slowness of movement
or stiffness. Frustratingly, dopamine
replacement therapies can be quite variable
at treating this type of tremor.
The Right Kind of Exercise for Tremors
In order to get the most out of your brain and
your exercise sessions, we need to get you
focusing on forced use – easy tiger, this isn’t
about injuring yourself by doing too much!
It simply involves multi-tasking, and focused
effort. Basically, we want to get you working
hard in the right way.
A great exercise to start with is called a
Stop Squat. For this, stand in front of a chair,
as if you are going to sit down on it and have
your feet slightly wider than hip width apart.
√ You are now going to do a squat by
pushing your bottom towards the back of the
chair, only go as far down as is comfortable
√ On the way down do a big and strong push
forward with your hands out in front of you
(as if you’re telling someone to stop with your
hands)
√ On the way back up give a strong push
from your legs and a powerful ‘snatch back’
with your hands
Fraser Simpson MSc, Chartered Physiotherapist
CALL NOW on 0141 530 2092 to book
a free Discovery Phone Call with one
of our Expert Therapists and find out
if we can help.
Don’t be surprised that your tremor
is a bit worse during the exercises, it’s
with consistent practice that people find
a reduction in their tremor. Unfortunately,
we can’t make it go away, but with the right
exercises and practice we can help you
manage your tremor better and keep you as
active and independent as possible.
**Disclaimer – please don’t hurt yourself with
these exercises, we need to see you and
assess you to give you specific advice on
how best to exercise within your capabilities
to get the most out of your life with PD. This is
for information purposes only.
E-mail: enquiries@simpsonphysio.co.uk
NOW to request your FREE e-Book
Parkinson’s Disease: a How-To guide
to help you start taking back control of
your life
Simpson Physiotherapy
0141 530 2092
simpsonphysio.co.uk
16 | www.westendermagazine.com
As summer approaches, let Elena
share some tips on how to avoid
that overstuffed, over crushed case
of the panic stricken over packer.
The
Wardrobe
Edit
I'm Elena the
Closet Stylist
and I've pulled
together a
ten piece capsule summer
wardrobe, plus shoes and
bags, and will show you
seven holiday day looks and
seven night looks. This type
of minimal packing is really
fun, it challenges you to be
more creative with what
you have, creating looks you
might not have tried before.
Slim Fit Pleated Vest
£55, COS
Pleated Skirt
£79, COS
Red Swimsuit
£49, COS
One Shoulder Swimsuit
£50, Arket
Linen Wrap Dress
£90, & Other Stories
www.westendermagazine.com | 17
Belted High Waisted trousers
£75, & Other Stories
Oversized Linen Shirt
£65, & Other Stories
Oversized Straw Bag
£48.30 (On Sale), Warehouse
White Linen Shorts
£35, Arket
Orange Square Toe Sandal
£34.29 (On Sale), Warehouse
Denim Shorts
£45, Arket
Suedette Soft Pleat Clutch
£30, Accessorize
Red Drawstring Dress
£29.99, H&M
Leather Quilted Sliders
£49.99, H&M
18 | www.westendermagazine.com
Your day look …
Bring accessories which don't take up too much
space; belts, shoes, a small bag for evening, and of
course jewellery. Accessorising a look is the fastest
and simplest way to really change it up and make
it look way more pulled together without really
carrying too much in your carry on.
The
Wardrobe
Edit
One Shoulder Swimsuit,
£50, Arket
Oversized Linen Shirt
£65, & Other Stories
Leather Quilted Sliders
£49.99, H&M
Denim Shorts
£45, Arket
Oversized Straw Bag
£48.30 (On Sale), Warehouse
Visit westendermagazine.com for the rest of The Closet Stylist's
curated looks from this capsule wardrobe.
Follow Elena @the_closet_stylist
Stockist List:
Accessorize Buchanan Galleries. Arket arket.com. COS Princes Square Shopping Centre.
H&M Buchanan Galleries. Warehouse House of Fraser. & Other Stories stories.com.
www.westendermagazine.com | 19
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20 | www.westendermagazine.com
1
The Long,
Long Afternoon
by Inga Vesper
BY BRIAN TOAL
WESTENDER’s
COVER TO COVER
Set in the late Fifties in twee, suburban California,
this novel is a murder mystery with a stylish twist.
Joyce Haney, devoted wife, mother of two, the
epitome of the post-war American idyll of plenty (if
you’re white) suddenly disappears leaving a pool of
blood in the kitchen.
When the maid, Ruby, arrives
she finds the older daughter hiding
in the trees and the younger
daughter with the neighbour.
Has Joyce been murdered?
Abducted? Injured? What can
a young black woman in Fifties
America do about a crime in
suburbia?
Even when she looks after the
abandoned daughter for all of
ten minutes and tries to comfort
her, Ruby is the target of vile
language and threats for daring
to act ‘above her station’. As the
police become involved, we slowly
begin to learn more not only
about the seemingly perfect life of
Joyce Haney but also the seedy
underbelly of suburban American
women who are bored, stifled and
restless.
Mick Blanke is the lead
detective on the case, and, as
is standard in detective novels,
he has a complicated back story
and has transferred from New
York following a scandal. This
puts him in the unique position
of being an outsider observing
suburban California, whilst at the
same time being deeply mistrusted
by colleagues and witnesses
alike. Vesper admits that Blanke
started out as a pastiche of pulp
detective novels – he reminds me
of Mike Hammer – but she goes on to say that ‘trashy as these
novels are, they contain some amazing pacing and writing and
are a great training tool for budding crime writers’. Vesper has
taken the template of these pulp detective novels and fleshed
it out into not only a fast-paced murder mystery with all the
twists and turns you would expect in this genre, but also a
damning indictment of sexism and racism in America at the time.
Of course, these are problems which no longer plague America
and it’s interesting to see how far society has progressed since
the Fifties.
Ruby is saving for college and entertains the idea of being a
detective herself. She certainly has the brains and the dogged
determination to succeed, but can a young black woman with
no prospects, no mother, a job which pays a pittance and from
South Central L.A. possibly crawl out of her circumstances and
create a new future for herself? This is the American Dream, is it
not? Therefore, the $1000 reward for information leading to the
apprehension of the murderer would come in handy, and that
becomes Ruby’s mission. I thoroughly enjoyed this and Glasgow
is richer for having Inga Vesper amongst us.
www.westendermagazine.com | 21
111 Places in
Glasgow That
You Shouldn’t
Miss
by Tom Shields
2
Tom Shields is a Glaswegian
writer needing no introduction,
and this third edition of his
guide to interesting stuff in
Glasgow has been recently
revised with new additions as
well as old favourites.
I love a list and giving me
111 places to visit in Glasgow
was a challenge I readily
accepted. I’ve lived here since
1990, yet many of the places
I’d heard of but never been
to. This book opens your eyes
to things you walk past every
day. How many times had I
walked by the amazing frieze in
La Belle Place near Kelvingrove
Park, or the King Edward VIII
post-box on Great George
Street? I especially liked the
roll and square sausage tour.
Never let it be said that I’m
not thorough in my research
for you, dear reader. The mural
tour and the Tardis tour were
great fun too.
Some of the wit and
humour we’ve come to
know and love from Shields’
diaries comes across here,
albeit briefly as each item
only has a page. The text is
accompanied by excellent
photography by Gillian
Tait, a native of Edinburgh
(cue pantomime boos),
and the stunning pictures
really augment Shields’ pithy
prose.
Over the past few weeks
I’ve been visiting places I’ve
often walked past but never
entered, as well as ventured
to parts unknown – even to
the South Side. Whether new
to Glasgow or born and bred,
this guide will enlighten and
delight in equal measure.
This is not a self-help book,
but it will help. We’ve all been
exposed to charlatans who
simply tell us to ‘think ourselves
happy’ or ‘manifest what
we want from the universe’.
You may detect a somewhat
sceptical tone, but believe me,
I’m open to persuasion.
I believe in a smorgasbord
approach to life, taking from
the buffet whatever helps.
This book explains the science
behind our expectations,
illustrating through many
helpful and fascinating
examples how we can improve
our physical and mental health,
the performance of our brains
and how happy we are.
You can’t think yourself
thinner or happier or younger,
but you can significantly
change your neural pathways
and health outcomes simply
by expecting your health to
be good.
Robson deals in detail
with the placebo effect and
the nocebo effect and how,
even when we know that
something is a placebo or a
nocebo, they can still make a
marked difference to our health
and wellbeing. The ritual of
taking a tablet actually helps.
I originally bought this book
because I was interested in
the application of these ideas
in an educational setting,
and indeed, there are some
startling revelations about
how we can improve the
performance of our young
people simply by making
them believe that they will
perform well.
Positive thinking is hardly a
new idea, but what Robson has
achieved in this compelling,
easily digestible book is to
provide a rigorous scientific
basis for what we instinctively
knew to be true.
The Expectation Effect
by David Robson
3
22 | www.westendermagazine.com
RRI
A
by John Parker
t Rainbow Room International we are
getting ready for summer in all our
salons! There’s no better feeling than
having fresh summer hair and we expect to
see many clients coming into the salon to go
lighter and brighter for the season.
With the festival period approaching we
will also see a boom in hair styling and have
some fantastic electricals in the salon for
you to take advantage of. This includes GHD
Gold Styler Straighteners, GHD Platinum+
Straighteners, GHD Tongs and the GHD
Unplugged – the perfect tools for helping
you achieve textured beachy waves or soft
voluminous curls! Try the GHDs on your hair
and ask for advice on hair products that will
compliment the finished look.
In the next few weeks we will also be
holding a Creative Day for our Rainbow
Room International teams at the Academy.
A day where our teams will come together to
learn from each other and take part in some
activities. It will be a fantastic day of learning
and bonding and we will also get to watch
our Artistic Team in action showcasing their
creative work. It will be a day of inspiration
where our team will learn new techniques to
bring back to the salon!
WIN! Rainbow Room International
are offering one lucky reader a hair
makeover in their Great Western Rd
salon. For your chance to win go to
westendermagazine.com and click
on competitions by the 30th Jun ‘22.
Rainbow Room International
607 Great Western Road G12 8HX
0141 337 3370
rainbowroominternational.com
ADVERTISE WITH US
// Glasgow’s best FREE bi-monthly mag
// Great editorial features: fashion, dining out,
health & beauty, what’s on, local authors
& artists, interiors & more
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// 10,000 copies per edition
For more info or to advertise
call: suzanne@westendermagazine.com
for a media flyer, or call 07905 897238
westendermagazine.com
Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion| 23
Mary Sewell of Not Just Travel – the West End’s Personal Travel Consultant
Time To Travel
with Not Just Travel
Summer is almost here! Restrictions
continue to ease and even more longhaul
destinations are opening up.
One of my favourite destinations, Australia,
is now allowing international travellers
(with certain requirements) which means we
get to see our loved ones after a long two
year separation, or simply enjoy a holiday in
this fantastic country.
Australia has so much to offer with
something for everyone: from glorious
beaches, amazing scenery, and of course
wonderful wineries. Honestly, wherever you
go in Australia you won’t be disappointed.
I have travelled to Australia a few times.
On one trip we decided to go to the vibrant
city of Perth which has fantastic restaurants
and lovely architecture. We took a leisurely
trip up the Swan River (you can get a train
back) and to Fremantle to visit the famous
market. This market has been there since
1897 and has lots of locals selling their wares
from books to handmade soaps – there was
an abundance of choice. To our surprise, we
found a Scottish woman who made square
sausage and Scotch Pies, which we had to
taste test and they were really yummy.
After a few days in Perth we drove down
to Margaret River and enjoyed the small town
feel with its craft breweries, quaint shops,
and wineries.
Margaret River also boasts some amazing
beaches which draws surfers from all over
Australia. I highly recommend doing a whale
watching boat trip. Now I’m not a fan of
boats, but this was worth feeling a bit wobbly
as we saw the whales close up, as well as
dolphins and flying fish.
Want to know more about Australia?
Give me a call and take the stress out of
planning your holiday down under!
Speak to Mary regarding your travel
plans by calling 07519 304320.
Or follow her latest Facebook offers
at facebook.com/marysewellnjt.
Not Just Travel
07519 304320
marysewell.notjusttravel.com
24 | www.westendermagazine.com
Zipslide the Clyde
for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
One of the many sectors falling
victim to the pandemic were
charitable organisations and their
ability to fundraise. Many charities are
completely reliant on the public to keep them
afloat and when covid hit, it was a fatal blow.
Luckily Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus
Scotland (SBH Scotland) have weathered the
storm and are back with a bang… or should
I say a zip? More on that later. Back to the
organisation…
Spina Bifida occurs due to a fault in
the spinal column forming properly during
pregnancy. This causes damage to the
nervous system. Hydrocephalus is a
neurological condition whereby cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) cannot drain properly. The buildup
of CSF then puts increased pressure
on the brain which can cause cognitive or
physical problems.
In 1965 the charity was created by
parents for parents and their children.
In order to acknowledge and meet the
needs of their children who had varying
degrees of disability, a national organisation
WORDS TRACY MUKHERJEE
was formed to ‘speak with one voice’ and
advocate for those needs from a perspective
of personal knowledge and understanding.
Even today, that sense of unity is paramount
to the organisation. Clare Cogan Turner,
Communications Manager at SBH Scotland
says ‘We always like to think of ourselves
as a family – being there for children, young
people and adults through all the stages in
their life, whenever they need us.’
And like so many charities, the pandemic
was a frightening time. Clare explains, ‘If the
past couple of years have taught us anything
it’s that the future is uncertain. And there
is nothing more terrifying to a charity than
financial uncertainty when over 3,500 people
rely on you for help. We are the only Scottish
charity with a remit to specifically support
the rare, complex disabilities of spina bifida
and hydrocephalus. For the families and
individuals who need us we are a lifeline.’
SBH Scotland offer an incredible bespoke
service, uniquely catering to each member.
Specialist staff who work across Scotland
provide a lifetime commitment of information,
www.westendermagazine.com | 25
support and projects to all those affected
by spina bifida, hydrocephalus and allied
conditions. Every year information on the
website is accessed over 55,000 times and
the Scotland-wide services are available to
over 4,000 children, young people and adults.
The services include a helpline, workshops,
individual and family support, home and
hospital visits, youth clubs, health check
clinics, one to one key workers and respite.
The organisation’s vision is clear,
‘Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
seeks to increase public awareness and
understanding of individuals with spina bifida
and/or hydrocephalus and allied conditions.
It aims to support all those affected to
identify their needs and to empower them to
make informed choices and decisions.’
Receiving little statutory funding,
fundraising is vital to the organisation.
It costs over £1 million every year to provide
extensive specialist services, the financial
support coming almost solely from people
getting involved, alongside the generosity
of trusts and the goodwill of volunteers.
Social events, grant making bodies and
sponsorship, all go towards raising the
money required each year.
Relying on sponsored challenges does
however have its benefits… zipslide days!
Having been put on hold for the past few
years due to Covid, the SBH Scotland
Zipslide the Clyde appears to be one of the
first back on the Clyde. In the three years
prior to Covid, 500 people had completed the
zipslide with the charity. This year the hope is
for 250 supporters to participate at the event
in September, aiming to raise £40,000 for
SBH Scotland.
Clare says ‘This year we’re launching off
aside Glasgow’s Riverside Museum which
has never been done before! We are looking
for people who not only love adventure but
those people who also realise they’ll be
making a positive difference in the lives of
our families. This is a fantastic opportunity
for those who’ve wanted to take part in this
amazing event over the past couple of years
– It’s finally back!’
And the monies raised? What can we see
it going towards? ‘We provide support in a
number of ways including 1-2-1 support in
homes, hospital and at schools, healthcare
transition support, health check clinics,
finance and benefits advice, social and
support groups for all ages across Scotland,’
says Clare. ‘The latter is always classed
as one of the most important things we do
as the groups create a network of support
for families which allow them to create
friendships and importantly feel like they’re
never alone.’
A day out on the Clyde, racing towards
Govan with the Waverly, OVO Hydro and
Science Centre in view. Oh, and raising
money for a simply outstanding charity to
boot. So why not get your friends or work
colleagues together and make a day of it all in
aid of SBH Scotland?
To find out more about SBH Scotland
and how to sign up now for the zipslide
challenge in September visit
sbhscotland.org.uk/zipslide
26 | www.westendermagazine.com
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS
Book space in the Jul/Aug 2022
Westender by Thursday 26th May.
Out in West End locations from Friday 17th June.
// 13 Years in the West End
// Glasgow’s brilliant FREE bi-monthly
magazine
// Great editorial features: fashion, dining
out, health & beauty, what’s on, local
authors & artists, interiors & more
// Massive potential business audience
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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 27
Small Business
Matters
Let’s introduce you to Jane Grant,
Chartered Management Accountant and
a founder and Co-Director of Ammu. Jane
firmly believes to help the Scottish economy
flourish we must support the people running
small businesses as they are the ones
creating jobs and training our future business
leaders.
Jane has supported hundreds of
businesses of all shapes and sizes.
She knows anything a big business with
multiple departments can do, so can a small
business. This is down to revolutionary
cloud accounting technology like Xero and
affordable apps like Futrili and Syft that
integrate within any business.
If you ask Jane what holds business
owners back and how they can move forward
she will tell you two things that matter: data
and culture.
Jane explains why both matter:
‘When you hear the problems business
owners are facing running a business it
informs you of the type of culture they have.
Getting under the hood and looking at the
data flowing through the processes and
systems reveals where the blockers are.
You can examine the information, gain clarity,
and fix the problems. When you understand
your business and have a clear vision you
begin to develop a positive workplace culture.
With everyone in the right seat with clear
roles and responsibilities your business will
stop stagnating and start moving forward.’
Jane will leave you with one last point:
‘Small business owners no longer have to
rely on gut instinct and Gaviscon, instead the
data has the answers.’
If recent events have made you think
differently about your business and you
need expert advice our team of Chartered
Accountants and Chartered Management
accountants can help.
Ammu Chartered Accountants
Get in touch today: visit ammu.uk or call
our Glasgow office on 0141 290 0262,
or our Ayrshire office on 01292 388 031
Ammu Chartered Accountants
10 Newton Terrace G3 7PJ
0141 290 0262
8 Miller Road Ayr KA7 2AY
01292 388031
ammu.uk
28 | www.westendermagazine.com
Homes & Interiors
BUILDING
by Suzanne
Martin A–Dream
Team
Sometimes what’s required is not a simple garden
tidy up. Just sometimes, with investment of time
and finances, what can be achieved can change
the way people live in their outdoor spaces. Now.
How to find the ‘can do’ people to make a dream
come true…
www.westendermagazine.com | 29
From Left to Right: Liam McIntyre with a plus one, Kim Hope and Melanie Russell
You’ve finally decided the property market is
crazy and not cooling down. Step away from
those property portals now! You need more
space but the thought of extending and living,
let alone working, in a building site gives you
the fear. Fear not. Another option you may not
have considered is at hand.
Melanie Russell of Outside In Garden Rooms
has assembled her very own dream team
– if you’re of a certain vintage you could even
go so far as to call her the Hannibal of her very
own A-Team – if that reference means nothing
to you, stop reading now, it’s time for school.
Alongside Kim Hope of Hope Groundworks
and Liam McIntyre of Thornbridge Sawmills
Anniesland, Mel is in the business of
transforming unloved and unused garden
space into bars, gyms, home offices, teenage
hang outs, yoga studios, crafting spaces...
the options are endless.
And while the room itself is Mel’s baby,
what can be brought to the project can be as
expansive as the client’s wish-list.
‘Kim and I regularly attend site visits
together,’ explains Mel. ‘If the client needs a
complete garden transformation it’s essential
we both look at the project as one and present
that cohesive vision to our clients. Once the
design phase is agreed, we project manage
each other into the process.
‘For example, Kim’s team will clear the
site creating appropriate levels in advance
of the Garden Room being installed. Hopes
then follow behind to complete the landscape
transformation which ensures the client has
a seamless project with no trades stepping on
other toes or damaging the others hard work.
30 | www.westendermagazine.com
Specialists in garden makeovers,
driveway installs and experts in all
aspects of groundworks for both
commercial and domestic projects
GARDEN MAKEOVERS
– Paving & Patios
– Walls & Brickwork
– Decking & Fencing
– Lawns
– Driveways
GROUNDWORKS
– Foundations
– Ground screw foundations
– Drainage
– Retaining walls
– Excavations
Tel: 07909 091 213
hopegroundworks.co.uk
or find us on
www.outsideingardenrooms.co.uk
0141 370 6102 / info@outsideingardenrooms.co.uk
www.westendermagazine.com | 31
Homes & Interiors
‘Thornbridge supply all the on site
construction materials throughout the process
therefore again, solid project management is
something we’re all fiercely proud of. So we all
need to know where we’re at with regards to
timings, without that cohesive approach, our
projects simply wouldn’t run as smoothly as
they do.’
Kim takes over, ‘Hope Groundworks
services to the client could be something
simple like clearance and levelling of an area
along with foundation works for a garden
room, right up to designing and carrying out
a full garden makeover. Working closely with
the Outside In team we co-ordinate our diaries
to tie our groundworks and landscaping in
with the room install to make the process as
seamless for the client as possible, Our aim at
Hope Groundworks is always to provide our
clients with a gorgeous garden that can be
truly enjoyed.’
The groundworks and landscaping required
on the project pictured was extensive, with
Kim and husband Ally brought in early to
meet the client. Working with the client at the
design stage meant the Hope Groundworks
team were able to realise the client’s
vision fully. This included a water feature,
checkerboard paving over real grass and a
brand new staircase leading to a sheltered
outdoor dining area with vertical planting for
privacy.
‘The client wanted wow factor and different
areas zoned for different purposes,’ Kim
continues. ‘And they absolutely love the
finished space – it’s beautiful and useable!
‘It’s my husband, Ally, and I who run the
business (with my mum also on our team)
we are very much a family affair. We were so
blessed to welcome our twins into the world
in October 2020 so since then we have been
enjoying life as a family of five (big brother
to our twins is our mad but very friendly
Rottweiler). Business wise we hope to continue
on the path we are on, grow organically and
one day get our kids involved in the business
to keep it in the family.’
32 | www.westendermagazine.com
Homes & Interiors
So where does Liam and Thornbridge
Sawmills come in? ‘Working through the details
of products for Mel’s projects and making sure
our service is top rate,’ says Liam, ‘and just
generally having a laugh when we can.’
‘For my branch in particular, we are very
driven to work the details, never assume, and
if we see a better option we bring it to the table.
Our involvement is in getting the right product
for the build, we leave the design and building
to the professionals. Getting involved at this
level makes our job more interesting.
Covid, closely followed by Brexit, has been a
challenge for all in the building supply business
however. ‘As a company we buy well and have
plenty of connections in Britain and Europe,
so we just about keep the supply going. However,
this year’s challenge is different. Trade
embargos could go on for months, maybe years,
and unfortunately prices will soar again.
‘However, I see these situations as being
beneficial sometimes to produce new market
ideas and new products. Like all businesses,
you can jog along with what you know but as
soon as that’s turned upside down, and if you
are forward thinking, you can diversify your
product range, create market disruption and
unveil new products.
‘This can be exciting if you have customers
like Mel and Kim who are open to new ideas.
Mel has been a whirlwind in the Scottish market
in recent times and has chosen to move with
sustainable new products, such as the IRO
cladding at grange used on the garden rooms in
this recent project. It requires real skill to install
but as can be seen – the outcome is brilliant.’
outsideingardenrooms.co.uk
hopegroundworks.co.uk
thornbridgesawmills.co.uk
Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 33
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Roofing Matters
I
asked Jamie at J.Shearer Roofing in
Jordanhill what sets his company apart
from his competitors. Straight away he
refers to his workforce and customer focused
approach. From their office staff, surveyors
and management team to their highly skilled
professional tradesmen.
His team are all hand-picked by himself
and his dad James who started the business
in 1989. ‘We are experienced professionals’
explains Jamie. ‘We aim to deliver an
unrivalled service and quality work. Our team
are reliable and dedicated meaning they turn
up on time and finish a quality job – leaving
the client to get on with their life and not
worry about leaks’
Having worked on older sandstone
properties with slate roofs on the South Side,
Jamie’s recent expansion into the West End
with identical property types has been a
smooth transition.
After opening the Crow Road office
18 months ago, the office team have now
settled in to the Jordanhill community.
With ongoing staff training necessary
for the upkeep of their top industry
accreditations and health and safety training
a priority – Jamie really has brought a winning
team and formula to the West End.
Call 0141 959 8989 to book
a Free Survey.
J.Shearer Roofing
478 Crow Road G11 7DR
0141 959 8989
jshearer-roofing.co.uk
34 | www.westendermagazine.com
Bespoke Residential and
Commercial Decorating Contractors
T. 0141 389 3287 | M. 07984 880 199
info@riversidedecor.co.uk | www.riversidedecor.co.uk
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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 35
Legal Matters
It’s (still) never too early to
call your solicitor
In the mid-1990s, the Law Society of
Scotland ran a nationwide campaign on
behalf of the whole profession with the
memorable phrase: ‘It’s never too early to call
your solicitor’. Recent court decisions show
that this has never been more true if you are
considering a professional negligence claim.
Many people may have heard the term
‘time bar’, meaning a date by which you
need to take a specific legal action. Different
countries have different rules, and different
types of legal rights and claims may have
different time limits within the same country.
Generally, there are two types of ‘time
bar’: one that stops you insisting on
something, but the underlying rights remain
and might still be enforced later in some
cases (in Scotland this is called ‘limitation’
and personal injury claims are generally
subject to a three-year limitation period);
the other is when there is an abrupt end to the
matter and the right is completely lost after
that (in Scotland this is called ‘prescription’).
Over the last decade, the loss of a right
by prescription has been considered by the
courts, right up to the Supreme Court in
London, particularly regarding negligence
claims against professional people. These
professional negligence actions have
considered when the date of prescription fell.
Such claims needed to be raised within five
years of the ‘prescriptive period’ starting.
The question was: when did the clock start
and what started it ticking?
The simple view is the period starts when
the negligence is committed, but there
was a common (and wrong) view that the
clock would not start until the person knew
of the potential claim. In the recent cases,
there was rarely doubt when the alleged
negligence occurred but what was in dispute
was whether there was any delay in the
prescriptive period starting due to the state
of knowledge of the person harmed by the
negligence.
The issue is not a hypothetical one in
professional negligence. There can often
be a substantial delay in knowledge.
The foundations to your house may have
been badly designed, but the crack only
appears years later and it might take further
years to work out that it was caused by
negligent design. If your lawyer is negligent
when you bought your house, you may only
realise something is wrong with the titles
when you come to sell on decades later.
The recent court cases have underlined
that the clock starts ticking as soon as
someone can know that they have a ‘loss’.
This may be before they know why there is a
loss, or even before they suspect anything is
wrong – they may just think that the ‘loss’ is a
routine expense.
Conceivably a claim may prescribe before
someone even realises something is wrong.
More often a claim may prescribe quite close
to when the person realises something is
wrong. The outcome is that unfair results may
occur and there is new legislation to soften
the situation (but not remove it altogether).
Therefore, the advice in any situation where
something seems to have
gone awry is to seek legal
advice straight away.
If Mitchells Roberton
Partner, Joel Conn,
can assist you please call
direct on 0141 548 1771,
or email jmc@mitchells-roberton.co.uk
Mitchells Roberton Solicitors
George House, 36 North Hanover Street
0141 552 3422
mitchells-roberton.co.uk
36 | www.westendermagazine.com
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Homes & Interiors
Out In Nature
www.westendermagazine.com | 37
As well as welcoming nature in, this is the time of year to look forward
to lounging out of doors. In the West End outside space is at a premium
with many shared back garden spaces. Whatever space you have think
creatively. Can some lovely fresh basil and dill plants be potted up in some
glazed pots in the kitchen window? Or some mood lighting lift a dining
space on a patio or balcony? As always, our West End retailers are full of
creative ideas – as the outdoors moves in and our indoors moves out.
Kensington Sofa,
£825, Nancy Smillie Shop
Paris Lounge Set (4 pcs),
£699, West End Garden Centre
Pao Portable Lamp by HAY,
£129, Hoos Glasgow
Ferm Living Level Side Table,
£205, InHoos Glasgow
Green Easton Planters, from Small £9.99 to XL £34.99,
Hyacinth House Plant Emporium
Hoos, 715 Great Western Road, 07788 480421, hoosglasgow.co.uk
Hyacinth House Floristry & Plant Emporium, 950a Crow Road, 0141 571 3517, hyacinthhousefloristry.co.uk
InHoos, 91-93 Great Western Road, 07788 480421, inhoos.co.uk
Nancy Smillie Shop, 53 Cresswell Lane, 0141 334 4240, nancysmillieshop.com
West End Garden Centre, 40-44 Peel Street, 07964 672211, westendgardencentre.com
38 | www.westendermagazine.com
Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 39
Image © Gregor Reid Photography
The Wee Kitchen Shop
Specialising In Beautiful Shaker Kitchens
Monica and Iain weren’t looking for
a new kitchen till the Great Flood
of 2021 happened – ok, it was a
small leak behind the washing machine.
The ravaging this persistent offender caused
to walls and wood however, did mean a
trained eye was needed. When the Cleveden
couple asked Greg from The Wee Kitchen
Shop round his previous experience working
with a wet and dry rot and damp proofing
company, sealed the deal for them.
‘I knew what I wanted design wise,’
says Monica. ‘And we’d seen the quality of
the kitchens in the showroom in Broomhill –
so already loved the look of what Greg
did. When he explained his background in
dampproofing we just knew the work would
be completed properly and not come back to
haunt us in months or years to come.
‘I also appreciated that Greg listened and
didn’t try to sell us his vision. I wanted the sink
moved away from the window with a small
window seat put in and Greg gave us exactly
what I was hoping for.
‘Greg did suggest more drawers than
cupboards, where possible, so we could
access the back and see what was in there
more easily – great as we get older. And he
also suggested an induction hob, which I
discounted at first, being used to gas.
‘However, I went round a few places
looking at appliances and couldn’t see what
I wanted. I’d been asking for more surface
area and realised that the induction hob would
actually give me that as I can put a chopping
board on it and use it as prep space when it’s
not in use, and I love it!
‘No matter how great I think Greg is
though, his team are exceptional. They are all
great tradespeople with a really high quality
of work – and tidy too. I’d have no problem
recommending any of them.’
FREE QUOOKER TAP:
On kitchens ordered by
Thursday 30th June 2022!
Call Greg for an appointment.
The WEE Kitchen Shop
304 Crow Road, Broomhill G11 7HS
0141 334 4747
www.theweekitchenshop.co.uk
40 | www.westendermagazine.com
We pride ourselves in providing
a prompt, reliable service
and are proud to have built a
reputation as a company that
you can trust.
Emergency repairs and planned
maintenance to full re-roofings
you will receive the same high
standard of service every time
for complete peace of mind.
We promise to provide the following
Professional, friendly team of
qualified tradespeople
Tradespeople hold CSCS cards
PASMA and IPAF trained
Photographic surveys
FIRST CLASS 5 RATED ROOFERS IN GLASGOW
FOR AFFORDABLE AND COMPETITIVE PRICES
120 CARSTAIRS STREET OFFICE 43 GLASGOW G40 4JD
tel: 0141 816 1800 info@vertex-roofing.co.uk
Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 41
with Western Lettings
Never Trust Anyone Who is
Rude to a Waiter
Wise folk say a person should be
judged not by how they treat a CEO,
but how they treat someone in their
service. As letting agents we understand that
we’re beneath waiters in the pecking order.
We’re more likely to contact you to make
you aware of a flooded bathroom than to
deliver some delicious food and drink.
We provide what is sometimes known as
a ‘negative service’.
Recently, the team at Western Lettings
received a roasting from one of our clients
when something bad happened. There had
been a short gap between tenants where
the landlord was liable for the council tax.
We’d done our duty and written to the council
explaining that they should send the bill
for the void period to our office. However,
they accidentally sent the bill to the wrong
address and it went unpaid. They escalated
it to a collection agency who traced the
landlord to his home address and sent him a
bill, including a 10% surcharge.
As soon as the landlord received the
letter from the collection agency, he called
Western Lettings. When Simon (not his real
name) first contacted us about the issue, he
was furious. He gave his name and advised
that he was very angry. He spent around
half an hour berating various members of
the team about how incompetent we were.
We immediately contacted the council who
admitted their error and agreed to refund
the £6 surcharge which had been added by
the debt collectors. We explained all this to
our client who continued to rail against us,
threatening to change agent the next time we
made such a terrible mistake. His anger never
abated and he followed up his calls with
several dismissive emails.
There can be no doubt that a bad thing
had happened. However, it was clear that
we’d not made an error. It is also true that
our client had suffered no losses. If he had
suffered any losses and a case could be
made that we had been at fault, we would
have paid compensation.
Why does any of this matter? It’s not
just that it’s important to be kind, but that
we should extend trust where it is due.
Like many professional agents, Western
Lettings can easily demonstrate that we
provide a transparent, friendly, and efficient
service. The major reason that staff turnover
in the sector is so high is because too many
people adopt the same attitude as Simon.
Don’t be like Simon. Be kind.
If you have a property to let, please
give us a call. We don’t do pushy sales,
so you can expect to speak to a friendly
and understanding adviser. Alternatively
have a trial of our free rental valuation
tool by scanning the QR code below.
Western Lettings
Craighall Business Park G4 9XA
0141 357 0436
westernlettings.co.uk
SCAN FOR INSTANT VALUATION
42 | Westender www.westendermagazine.com
Magazine Promotion
Image © Gregor Reid Photography
Property
Matters
with Walker Wylie
Estate Agents
The spring statement’s been released.
Rightmove has shared their House Price
Index. So, this all begs the question,
where is the spring market heading?
It’s no surprise Rightmove of all
companies is keen to tell us (in the boldest
way possible) that we’re about to experience
‘The Best Ever Spring Sellers’ Market’ but is
it simply a bold headline or have they hit the
nail on the head?
In a nutshell – they’ve hit the nail on the
head with this one.
Not only have prices hit another record,
with average asking prices in Scotland now
reaching £178,000, but we’ve also seen a
2.2% month-on-month increase in prices –
and supply is still behind demand by a factor
of 2 to 1. So yes, the market really does seem
poised for a record-breaking spring.
In fact, selling now means you’re twice
as likely to find a buyer in the first week
of marketing as you were in 2019. And it’s
completely verifiable in Glasgow with average
time-to-sell periods dropping across the
board (in some cases to within a single day!).
The biggest fly in the ointment of the
market, as we see things, is the lack of
property for onwards purchases. With many
keen to move but concerned about finding
/walkerwyliescotland
/walker_wylie
Where Is The Spring Market Heading?
a property for themselves. Our advice?
Put your house on the market anyway.
Getting it on the market means you’ll
be in a far stronger position to move on
the right property when it is available. And
according to the Rightmove stats, the supply
is increasing with stock levels rising by 12%
year-on-year.
The spring statement has offered some
respite from the cost-of-living increases that
we’re all experiencing but they may not go
far enough to take the sting out of increases
in the Bank of England Base Rate, and the
expected rise in inflation to a predicted 7.4%
average this year.
So now really is the time to take
advantage of this ‘spring bounce’ and the
extraordinary competition from buyers. Don’t
attempt to ‘play the market’. Move when it’s
right for you and sell while people are buying.
So, if you are thinking of making your
move – you’re definitely picking a healthy
time, and we’d love to hear from you.
Walker Wylie Estate Agents
148 Woodlands Road G3 6LF
0141 404 1333 / 07855 952298
walkerwylie.co.uk
www.westendermagazine.com | 43
• Buying & Selling
• Mortgages &
Re-Mortgages
• Life Insurance &
Protection
At Walker Wylie Mortgages
we are professional,
passionate, and committed
to providing top quality
in-house independent
advice in a friendly and
easy to understand manner.
• Holistic Financial
Advice
• Savings & Investments
• Pensions & Retirement
planning
• Inheritance Tax (IHT)
Mitigation
Walker Wylie Mortgages
148 Woodlands Road
Glasgow
G3 6LF
info@walkerwylie.co.uk
0141 404 1333
www.walkerwylie.co.uk
Walker Wylie Mortgages is a trading name of Holyrood Asset Management Ltd which is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA no. 192637
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