A QUARTER of a century ago a massive glass structure took shape in the centre of Glasgow.

The St Enoch Centre was one of the first city centre malls of its kind. GORDON THOMSON looks back at the 'Glasgow Greenhouse' retail revolution

IT attracts millions of shoppers each year, and as it celebrates its silver anniversary the St Enoch Centre is preparing for the next 25 years.

Its growth continues with eight new retailers already agreeing lease terms.

It was in the early summer of 1989 when the retail centre began trading, long before Buchanan Galleries and the sprawling Braehead complex on the outskirts of the city.

It was known as The Glasgow Pyramid or Glasgow Greenhouse with its giant steel beams supporting the superstructure which were fashioned at the old Clyde shipyard of Scott Lithgow.

Controversially, the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher came north nine months later to officially open one of the first city centre malls of its type in the UK.

A generation of shoppers has evolved since the centre first opened its doors.

It was built on the site of the old St Enoch railway station at a cost of £100million and it was revolutionary.

It offered the people of Glasgow an opportunity to browse dozens of shops without having to worry about the weather - a bustling city high street with 72 shops, four large stores and a food court and all undercover.

It even had its own hi-tech computer room to monitor security and the centre's ventilation, with solar panels on the roof.

St Enoch had its its own ice rink but that disappeared in 1999 to cater to the need for more shops.

The rink was replaced by a bigger retail selection.

Today almost 90 stores fill the centre which underwent a recent £100million upgrade and extension.

Anne Ledgerwood, the centre's newly appointed general manager, said: "It's incredible to think that St Enoch Centre is now 25 years old.

"In some ways, it feels as if it has been part of the fabric of Glasgow for much longer. In other ways, it feels as if we are just getting started as we're going through a really exciting stage at the moment.

"Eight retailers have agreed lease terms, including Mothercare, which recently opened a 17,500sq ft flagship Glasgow store in the centre, and TopShop, which is doubling its floor space to 30,000sq ft.

"We're also looking forward to an incredibly busy year with the Commonwealth Games and MTV Europe Awards in Glasgow, and the Ryder Cup taking place at Gleneagles just 50 miles away.

"When we first began thinking about how to celebrate our silver anniversary we knew right away that we had to do something to highlight the achievements of our retailers, who have played such an important role in Glasgow becoming one of the best shopping destinations in the UK.

The vote for their favourite retailer is in the public's hands, and we'll announce the results next week.

"It goes without saying that we also wanted to thank our shoppers, who have supported us over the past 25 years.

"I'm enormously proud that we attracted more than 19 million visitors last year -when St Enoch Centre opened in 1989 it was the first of its kind in Scotland, but even now that there is much greater competition our footfall remains strong."

And she wants the centre's customers involved in the birthday bash.

She added: "We have a host of exciting free activities planned for our shoppers, from a 1980s film festival featuring classics such as Honey I Shrunk The Kids to our VIB (Very Important Birthday) Pamper Lounge on May 24-25 which will be treating customers with rewards including mini-manicures and makeovers when they spend in store."

gordon.thomson @eveningtimes.co.uk