GLASGOW’S grand old department stores are held fondly in the memories of many shoppers from the city.

Our recent Glasgow Times features about Lawson’s, on the corner of Argyle Street and Watt Street, and Forsyth’s, opposite Central Station, prompted a flurry of messages from readers.

John O’Brien, whose aunt lived on Maryhill Road in the 1950s, remembers the “Lawson’s man” coming to the door.

“He was like a member of the family,” says John. “I think he was an early tenant of Moss Heights, the first multi-storeys built in Glasgow.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Lawson’s was a credit only store, so you had to have a “magic line” to be able to shop there.

Ann Thomson recalls: “I remember the big wooden counters in Lawson’s, and the overpriced goods.

“They made a lot of people very happy though. I have fond memories of the café, too. I think we ‘graduated’ on to the Provident after Lawson’s closed…”

She adds: “My mother was a good payer, and when the suede and leather coats came out in the 60s, my brother and I were the first to get them.

“I came from an East End housing scheme and although we didn’t have much money, we had great style…”

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Fraser Wilson got in touch to tell us he is “just old enough” to remember going by steam train into Glasgow Central with his grandmother.

“She always thought she looked like the Queen Mother,” he says, laughing. “She did. And she acted the same. She always made for the tearoom first when in town, so we often did the rounds of Pettigrew’s, Copeland & Lye, Forsyth’s, MacDonalds….

“As I was the first grandchild I had the honour of accompanying her.”

Tearooms, like this one at Craig's, were all the rageTearooms, like this one at Craig's, were all the rage (Image: NEWSQUEST)

Like reader Stuart Abernethy, who told us about running the hair salon in Forsyth’s, and still owning the tailor-made suit he purchased there 60 years ago, Fraser recalls the barber’s inside the store.

“I remember getting my hair cut in Sturrock’s, which was the barber’s inside Forsyth’s, and getting my primary school uniform in the store.

“I was always taken by the thick carpet throughout – it’s strange what you remember.”

Fraser adds: “There was a lift that had shiny brass panels, and an operator - none of this do-it-yourself stuff. It was always thought of as ‘posh’ to visit a big store - nowadays we wouldn’t bat an eyelid.”

A treat was to go for afternoon tea, he recalls.

“I remember the waitresses in their black dresses with white aprons and wee hats,” he says. “Even today when I see cakes and sandwiches brought out on a three-tier stand, I am immediately taken back to those days.”

Fraser also recalls his family moving to a ‘posh hoose’ on the Southside.

“We discovered the previous owner lived alone, but had a butler taking care of him,” he adds. “It turned out it was Mr Forsyth….”