“You used to feel uncomfortable taking a comic on the bus. Now they’ve become such a huge part of our lives and culture.”
On Glasgow’s style mile, where units regularly change hands or lie sadly empty, one retailer has stood the test of time by offering a window into the wonderfulForbidden Planet is a beloved part of many a Glasgow childhood having outlasted most of its neighbours since opening in the city centre decades ago.Kevin O’Donnell, group retail manager, has witnessed it all in his 30 years of working with the company in Glasgow.
The Sauchiehall Street superstore, which opened in 2019, is an Aladdin’s Cave of pop culture treasures regularly hosting meet-and-greets with some of the biggest names in the industry completely free of charge. When news of a permanent relocation to the up-sized store broke in May this year, a touching outpouring of emotion began on social media as regulars past and present lamented the “end of an era”.Kevin said: “The response to our move was absolutely phenomenal.“One of our long-time customers was breaking down in tears.“People grew up in that shop and now a whole new generation is growing up in the Sauchiehall Street one.
Speaking of his own love for the shop he explained: “I always say that it’s like a convention every day.