Glasgow Business Tips

(Glasgow, Scotland, UK)

Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is one of the most important financial cities in the country, along with Edinburgh. With a strong industrial past, including many shipping, construction and textile businesses, this was one of the first cities in the world to experience the booming growth of the industrial revolution, and during the 18th and 19th centuries, Glasgow earned a reputation as the second city in the British Empire. During the 20th century, this was also one of the first European cities to experience the economic effects of post-industrial decline.

Over the years, the city has constantly reinvented itself and today is full of knowledge and service-based industries, including Scottish tourism, media and culture. Glasgow is also full of many important Scottish businesses, banks, insurance groups, legal firms and software houses, and also has numerous sizeable offices and headquarters. With a large amount of self-promotion and many thriving companies, the city has earned itself the prestigious title of European City of Culture and UK City of Architecture and Design, as well as the unofficial title of style capital of Scotland.

Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre

Address: Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, G3 8YW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 248 3000
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre is the city's most popular conference and meeting venue, and offers excellent facilities for business. Located in the West End of Glasgow, next to the scenic River Clyde, the complex features stunning architecture, an auditorium that seats around 3,000 people, other meeting areas with a capacity of around 10,000 people, more than 20,000 square metres of exhibition space, several small halls, restaurants and business centres. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre is a popular venue for leading Scottish festivals, concerts, conferences, conventions and exhibitions of all sizes, and is conveniently close to the Exhibition Centre train station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00

Business Hours and General Etiquette

In both dress and manners, locals in Glasgow are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality necessary depends upon the actual nature of the business, with financial and legal professions being more formal than software and IT companies - where even denim jeans and T-shirts may be acceptable in the most casual offices. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are a common sight during the summer months.

Business hours in the Glasgow area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 18:00, although some local offices may close slightly later. Many shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets are open day and night. Banks in Glasgow generally open from 09:00 to 16:30, although some are open until 17:30, and larger branches may also open on Saturday mornings.

Working lunches are a popular way to do business in Glasgow and locals are quick to use first-name terms when appropriate. Drinks or dinner often ends the working week and there are many pubs and wine bars in the city that are favoured by local businessmen and women, particularly around St. Vincent Street, West George Street and West Regent Street, and close to the Savoy and Buchanan Galleries shopping centres.

Greeting Someone

A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Glasgow and throughout Scotland. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms.

Smoking

All eateries and public spaces in Glasgow have a strict 'no smoking' policy. The same can be said for offices and businesses, which are now entirely 'non-smoking'. Whilst the Scottish have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only smoke when in the company of similarly minded people.