A 5 star newsagents? It does exist, and it's here in Glasgow…read more Thanks to Kelly R's tip the other day, I found out they sell Frankie magazine here (thanks again Kelly!). Frankie is an Australian magazine which I was totally addicted to, back in the day. I didn't know it was even sold in the UK so when I saw the tip I screamed (I'm not kidding), and visited Barrett as soon as I could. As I scanned the shelves, and scanned them some more, I came to the crushing realisation that they didn't seem to have it. The girl behind the counter was super helpful, looking it up on the system for me and chatting to me about the magazine. Sadly, it had sold out already but she offered to take my name so that for all future copies, they'll have one for me. How's that for customer service?! She was super helpful and friendly, and I really appreciate that she offered to go that extra mile for me. Even though I don't live close to Barrett, I'll be heading here for all my magazine needs in the future.

I love these places…read more Glasgow Convenience Stores You can tell when you enter one of these that you are back in Scotland. Askit powders by the register and Irn Bru in the fridge. This one is great and I used to drop by on my walk to work. It carries a variety papers, bottled waters, loads of gingers, and all of the miscellany that I would require during my day. Sometimes, it is not the big things that remind you of a place. You can take an immense amount of pleasure in the small things.

When working at tha ABC, this place does me well. I can be out the door, over there, buy some scran…read moreand be back to rip tickets/flyer in the space of 2-3 minutes (traffic pending). Another "they sell everything" stores, as they're aren't obviously enough in Glasgow/along Sauchiehall Street, it's smaller than most, but equally as stocked. Still semi-pricey, but I suppose, now adays you have to pay for convenience. Tut.

This shop came in really handy for me as one late night I was walking home and I had the sudden…read moreurge to buy a play toy Siberian tiger that is about the size of a small dog, low and behold Mr News had one in his shop window my luck was in! No that defiantly didn't happen and I doubt it ever has so why do they sell them in this shop is beyond me, guess you'd have to ask Mr News himself but it really cracks me up! I understand they want to sell as many things as they can and this is helpful as it is a late night convenience store but large soft toys? Really? Apart from that the shop isn't all that interesting but is a good stop off for a late night munch after a hard night on the ran-dan.

Okay, so it might seem a bit facetious to review a newsagent, but I used to live in the area nearby…read morefor 2-3 years, and it's really taken root in a special little place in my heart. Mostly I think from the shopkeeper who always greets with a cheeky grin and a friendly "How have you been?" or "A lot of chocolate today, eh?" or "Wow, you were only here half an hour ago!" Some may say he's just doing his job, but I feel we've become quite close over the years - he's the only one who understood and fuelled my chocolate addictions. It's got a well-stocked and ample magazine section for the size of the place, and the window is well known for letting - I actually found my most recent flat in that very window! How apt.

Hmm, ok so I'm reviewing the shop window rather than the shop itself. Let me explain...if you're…read morelooking for a flat to stay in the west end or a flat share situation, this is the place to go. Their window is literally covered with little handwritten post-it-style notes from people with rooms to rent or seeking flatmates. I found myself here last year when I quickly needed a place to stay in Glasgow and when I arrived a crowd of people were already there scribbling down phone numbers and phoning through them all. Not ideal, no, and probably best to be avoided at the beginning of a new term but very handy to have and so few places now do this kind of advertising which is so much-needed.

With it's bright blue and yellow frontage, Kelvingrove Store in Sauchiehall Street can't be missed…read more Unsurprisingly, you'll find it a few hundred metres from Kelvingrove Park (the clue's in the name....) This part of Sauchiehall Street is taken up mainly by offices - which makes Kelvingrove Store a very useful shop. As well as the usual magazines and chocolate bars - in this shop you'll find quite a variety of foodstuffs (both hot and cold) and drinks. It has the biggest selection of crisps I think I've ever seen in my life! It's licensed, too, so you'll find all sorts of alcohol. This newsagent is family run, and the staff are all very friendly and smiley (at least I hope they were being smiley and friendly, otherwise they were just laughing at my earmuffs).

Are you in Kelvingrove park and fancy a can of coke, packet of crisps or some alcohol which you…read morewill definitely not be drinking in the park as this is an illegal activity and in no way endorsed by this yelper, yelp.co.uk or any of its known associates?? If the answer is yes and your anywhere near the Sauchiehall Street side of the [ark then this wee shop is an ideal fix. Located on Sauchiehall Street just across from the Lorn Hotel, this store is your typical corner shop and a good shout if you need to pick up supplies for a nice day in the park. I suppose this jointis all pretty handy for those who live i the area for daily sundries and what nots as its fairly well stocked with stuff, but i reckon its the park proximity which makes this place what it is.....

In most ways, the News Plus Newsagent is pretty much your average newsagent. You'll find a great…read moreselection of papers and magazines as well as sweets, crisps, chocolates and bottled drinks. So far, so average. BUT, a close look at this newsagent will show you that they actually sell quite a large range of toy cars. Now, they don't seem to sell any other type of toys - just matchbox type old fashioned toy cars. They have a pretty sizable range, including lorries, vans, etc etc. (Can you tell that I'm not an expert on toy cars?!) Now, I don't know whether the owner has a thing for matchbox cars, or if it's just something he inherited from the previous owners. Either way, it's worth having a little peer in the window and coming up with your own theory!

A bit more intelligent than the tits and telly of The Sun or The Daily Star, The Metro is fairly…read moredecent read, and enough to make you forget the depressing fact that you're travelling by bus. Their music / film sections concentrate on less mainstream releases, and some sections, particularly the letters, have a very "quirky" feel, for want of a better word, which I'm sure some people like but i just find a bit annoying. The sport section is far weaker than the other daily rags. Still, it's free though, so can't grumble.

The Metro is the highlight of any commuting experience in Glasgow. Indeed, when I step on a…read moretrain/bus/subway to find there are none left, I descend into a rage which never quite abates for the rest of the day. The news articles are nothing special; pretty much a rewrite of the wires. But it's the features where The Metro truly shines; as well as the daily "Guilty Pleasures" section, a celebrity gossip update which delivers pretty much what is says on the tin, the newspaper regularly publishes indepth and interesting interview with top film directors, writers and actors; recent interviewees have been Clint Eastwood, Christian Slater and Ricky Gervais. And whoever came up with the 60 Second Interview deserves a knighthood as far as I am concerned.

Glasgow University Magazine is the oldest student magazine in Scotland and as Father Ted once said,…read more"and in my view the best". In the interest of objectivity I should mention I was the Deputy Editor of this fine publication last year. So what is in GUM? Well it has a mix of arts, culture, politics, cinema and general interest. It can be found all over campus and in cafes, coffee shops bars, pubs and clubs across the West End of the city, all Glasgow University halls of residents and in random, interesting places in the city centre. (Insert shameless plug here...) it is free, it is glossy and it is great. I highly recommend you pick it up.

Glasgow University Magazine (or GUM as the cool kids shorten it to) is the university's resident…read moremagazine. I'm so not down with the kids these days so I can't remember how you get involved, but I'm pretty sure there's information inside. You can pick GUM up all over the campus, from in the halls of residence to in the John Smith buildings and university unions. From what I recall it's rather arty, so you can expect loads of abstract articles and cool photography. It's very glossy and very free, so you've not reason not to chew on GUM to be honest. Unless you're not at Glasgow University. Now that would probably be a reason that you wouldn't pick it up. But lucky for you it can be found in certain circles around the west end, so dive in and have a gander!