Overview

You always know when there's a Lush nearby. The sweet scent of soaps, lotions and bath bombs can't be confined. I'm partial to a bath bomb, but I've found many stores challenging to navigate at busier times, I'm glad to say this one is a bit different. Lush Spa opened in March 2024, taking over the building once owned by book retailer Borders, where I spent a fair part of my younger years - though mostly for the coffee. Distributed over four floors, housing a spa and a mini version of Glasgow's infamous plant-based Plant Blonde cafe, it's as much an experience as it is a shop.

Transport & Parking

Located on Buchanan Street, this store has no dedicated parking. However, there are accessible parking spaces nearby on West Nile Street and Queen Street. The store is 322 metres from both Glasgow Central Railway Station and Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station. Several bus routes operate on West Nile Street, Queen Street, and Argyle Street, all within a short distance of the store.

Access

The automatic doors at the entrance are an immediate win, in my book. It's nice when a barrier moves itself out of the way. There's plenty of space to navigate the store, regardless of the mobility aid you're using, which is a different experience to most smaller stores. I tend to avoid going in at busy periods, because I'm not sure I'll get back out or be able to turn my wheelchair safely - that's not a problem here. There are a few items I couldn't see whilst sitting in my wheelchair but the staff often offered to hand them down and checked if I needed help. There is a lift on the ground floor, which takes you to all four floors. The lift is big enough for a powerchair, but not big enough to turn inside - so expect to reverse out if you use a wheelchair. The lift buttons have Braille Markings and a hearing loop is operational in the lifts. I didn't see an induction loop at any of the counters, which is disappointing. There are also stairs to the basement level, which have handrails on both sides. There isn't much in the way of seating, other than a few chairs outside the Plant Blonde Cafe.

Toilets

I understand there are accessible toilets on all floors; however, I only visited the one on the first floor. It’s worth noting that you need to speak to a member of staff to access the toilet. While the staff are very helpful, I always dislike having to announce that I need to use the toilet in a public place. The toilet door opens outwards, and I found it to be quite heavy. As such, some people might require assistance with it. The toilet itself is well-maintained, with space for a left-side transfer. It features a standard toilet seat with contrasting grab rails on both sides, along with a low but deep sink with a sensor tap, also equipped with contrasting rails on either side. There is plenty of room to manoeuvre most mobility devices, and they thoughtfully provide Lush products. There is no colostomy shelf in this toilet. The door is unlocked from the inside by pressing the button on the wall; however, you’ll still need to open the door manually. The facilities are clean and well cared for, but I just wish we could access them without needing to ask for assistance. Assuming the toilets on other floors are the same, they should be just as pleasant to use.

Staff

The staff are fantastic. I had the chance to speak with the shop manager, who was eager to show me around the store and highlight the facilities. Everyone I interacted with during my visit was friendly, chatty, and knowledgeable about the products and services on sale.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This goes without saying, but Lush stores smell strongly of the products on offer. This could prove overwhelming for some with sensory issues or a sensitivity to smells. I'm told the Spa on the top floor is accessible, as are the treatments, but I didn't attend the Spa on my short visit.

Photos