Boots

Warning: contains MASSIVE rant not entirely related to Boots as a pharmacy chain!
I like Boots… this is a good location and a gorgeous residence for them to be utilising… so I wonder why I object so much.
Maybe it’s because the chemist situated here beforehand was great — it was cosy, well priced, well stocked and the staff were all really helpful. It stocked a wide range of make-​up and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was nothing more than a flimsy cosmetics shop but towards the back they had a pharmacy with everything you may need to combat hayfever or to deplete flu symptoms.
Boots is great but I see they’ve stripped this place bare of its old characteristics so it looks like they’ve lumped their strip lighting in there under old mahogany, stained glass partitions. I have nothing against Boots personally but I absolutely cannot stand when the high street storms areas like the west end and digests all local businesses, leaving vapid, faceless establishments in their wake. I know if you’re sick you may not want to walk FIVE MINUTES down the road to the long serving Byres Road Boots, but if you’re just looking for supplements is it really necessary to have two chain stores within a half mile of each other? In an area that used to thrive on local business?
I must set out a disclaimer that I love Boots as an institution and would have no objection if one didn’t already exist in this area. But as far as I can see, the glaring strip lights of yet another coprorate business are continuing to scare small businesses out this area. This space could’ve been used by a local pharmacist or made a wonderful Doctor’s surgery, but once again The Man moves in and prevails. Glasgow is sooner or later going to lose its identity.

I really like this little Boots on Great Western Road. It’s small, it doesn’t have masses of stock and it does mainly function as a Chemist or Pharmacy.
This is what all — well, most — Boots branches should be like. It has the basic supplies which you might need but has a definite focus on the medicine side of things. So while you’ll still be able to get a pair of rescue tights if you happen to have made an enormous rip midday, this is the place where you’re best to visit if you’re unwell.
Inside, the potentially rather bleak looking shop (it’s clutter free and very much minimalist in vibe) you’ll find pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable staff. They can point you to a range of products and easily recommend which one would be best for your particular symptoms and/​or needs.
None of this ‘food section’, ‘make up section’ every — bloody — section business. Just what you need, when you need it and minus queues of lunch/​Christmas present buyers. Perfect.