PA G E
7
lifestyle
A place for growth Kathy Beckett
G
lasgow is a vibrant city, with world famous attractions ranging from the classic style of the Makintosh building at the Glasgow School of Art, to the bustling Buchanan street with it’s performers and excessive crowds. However, once the obvious boxes have been ticked you might be interested in where raw vibrancy resides... Hit the lanes surrounding Byres Road for unique shopping and drinking adventures. There's Gibson Street, which boasts some of the best cafes in Glasgow and just around the corner is Otago Lane home of Tchai-Ovna (meaning 'house of tea' – literally hundreds!). But for me, the most exciting area is the East End of the city. Calton, as its geographically known, is where Glasgow's famous (and infamous) Barras market and Barrowlands are located. Established formally in the 1920's, The Barra’s has become well known for 'liberated' merchandise and more than modestly priced imports. Despite this, it retains a certain charm; behind the Glaswegian doppelgängers of Rodney and Del-Boy there are diamonds in the rough, hiding under years of dust and waiting for discovery... Furthermore, there is change afoot. 'King of the Barras', Tom (a.k.a. market manager), gave me the low down on the new set up where open mindedness and imagination are key. Initially, I was wary of this 'Camden-style' regeneration – nostalgia comforts me. But Tom emphasised, “these things have to happen in an organic way”. Tom's vision started more than ten years ago, “the problem was finding the right people”. People like Greg, project manager of The Glasgow Bike Shed, and Che Camille have
set the ball rolling as pioneering social enterprises that offer one-of-a-kind services. These new saplings are now springing up all over the old market’s cobbled and paint layered facade. The Glasgow Bike shed is about 'encouraging cycling and recycling'. Their volunteer based team build and repair bikes from reclaimed and donated parts then sell them at absurdly reasonable prices. Their friendly faces are awaiting the results of an application for charity status (fingers crossed!). One door along is Trakke. Down to earth and exceptionally polite lads run this aspiring outdoor company who create bags and other equipment from rescued materials, donated by generous businesses, friends and strangers.
Both ventures offer versatile, functional and (dare I say it) sustainable options for our sinful consumerist lifestyles. Over the road in The New Barras Centre the vibe is similar. Obscure Couture's 'street stage-wear for the introverted extrovert' and open workshop is situated on the corner of this new build, allowing wishful and watchful eyes to gaze – and be inspired. Glasgow's queen of bespoke class, Che Camille, reigns over two units, with their Tailoring Studio (made to measure services!) and The Che Marché offering accessible chic. And amidst these two creative forces is Made In The Shade, a neo-craft group who showcase over forty designers and artists work. Opposite is Pigin Perfect, whose work directly confronts ideas of trade and heritage. This Masters of Architecture duo hope to continue running community based projects - watch this space. Remaining units are filling up fast and it's truly a hub of creativity. I was overwhelmed by the graciousness of each collective; everyone is genuine and ready to involve anybody in any of their ideas. All of these guys ooze motivation and ingenuity alongside lashings of passion. The resonating message from all of the new kids on the block is community. These ventures offer 'high end' ideas that are accessible; after all, conversation is free. They are part of the bigger picture of the Barras, which should continue for many years to come. Its survival is dependant on sharing, a hopeful fusion of generations and ideals will come in handy - they need your support and all it takes is a little excitement.
The Barras is open weekends 10am -4pm contact: www.tchaiovna.com www.glasgowbikeshed.org www.checamille.com www.trakke.co.uk www.obscure-couture.com www.wearemadeintheshade.com www.pidginperfect.com Images:Kathy Beckett