WE have often written about Glasgow’s many fine old building and here is another example of one that still survives and looks great, although with different business occupants from the  prominent name you can see in the top of the photograph.
This used to be the premises of R W Forsyth, the ladies’ and gents’ outfitters at 5-7 Renfield Street, pictured in 1971.
The original company set up in business as hosier, glover and shirtmaker  in 1872 and by 1897  had expanded to the corner of Gordon Street, opposite Central Station.
The building, on six floors, was heated by hot water pipes, and had a grand staircase sweeping upwards centrally from each floor.
The store closed in 1983, when the firm moved to premises formerly occupied by the Trerons department store in Sauchiehall Street. That has also closed.The original R W Forsyth set up in business as hosier, glover and shirtmaker at 5-7 Renfield Street in 1872. The business prospered, leading to expansion to the corner of Gordon Street in 1897. The new building, on six floors, was “heated by hot water pipes, and two gas engines of 32 hp each, providing an electric light installation for illuminating purposes.”

The staircase was particularly admired, sweeping upwards centrally from each floor with handsomely carved balustrades. Further expansion followed, with the opening of a large store on a prime site on Princes Street in Edinburgh in 1907. The business remained in the family, in the hands of the founder’s son Graham and grandson Derek.
Forsyth’s had a strong reputation for quality clothing and fashions, and also succeeded in specialist areas such as sports equipment and school outfitting. The store closed in 1983, when the firm moved to premises formerly occupied by the Trerons department store in Sauchiehall Street.

Glasgow Times:

The 1960s was the era when music started getting louder and faster and young people flocked to dance halls and concerts to hear or see their favourites. But music in cafes was also popular, such as this scene from Baldi’s Cafe in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in April 1960.

These women are selecting the latest hits in the Wurlitzer jukebox and they might just have been picking the single that was UK No 1 at the time ... a little number called My Old Man’s A Dustman by Bridgeton-born singer Lonnie Donegan.