Buchanan Galleries Champions Accessibility for Purple Tuesday

Buchanan Galleries will mark Purple Tuesday on 4 November with a series of initiatives aimed at promoting accessibility, inclusion, and awareness for disabled people and their families.

Purple Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to improving the customer experience for disabled people, encouraging businesses and organisations to “Think Accessibility” — this year’s campaign theme. The annual day serves as a reminder not only to recognise the barriers people with disabilities face but also to celebrate innovative solutions already making a difference.

In Scotland, the initiative aligns closely with the National Events Strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024–2035, which commits to fostering diversity and inclusion across the country’s events portfolio. Purple Tuesday provides an opportunity for Scotland’s events and retail sectors to reflect on the progress made towards accessible and inclusive experiences, and to explore new ways to build on that success.

At Buchanan Galleries, the celebrations will include partnerships with Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) and Guide Dogs Scotland, two organisations that play vital roles in promoting equality and independence for disabled people.

From 10am to 3pm on Tuesday, representatives from GDA will be located in the main atrium, engaging with visitors, sharing information about their services, and raising funds to support their work in the local community. GDA, a leading disabled-people-led organisation with more than 5,500 members across Glasgow, runs a number of impactful initiatives such as EmPOWER 65 — helping older people save on household costs and improve digital skills — and AHEAD (Actions for Health, Equalities and Self-Determination), which supports individuals awaiting health or social care services.

Guide Dogs Scotland will also be present in front of the centre’s iconic flower wall, raising awareness of their essential work training puppies to become life-changing companions for people with visual impairments. The charity supports over two million people across the UK living with sight loss, helping them to live more independently and confidently.
 

Kathy Murdoch, Centre Director at Buchanan Galleries, said: “We’re proud to support Purple Tuesday and the incredible work of Glasgow Disability Alliance and Guide Dogs Scotland. Through partnerships like these, we continue to learn from organisations that champion accessibility every day, helping us make meaningful improvements to the customer experience and create a space where everyone feels valued and represented.”

Buchanan Galleries has already implemented a number of accessibility features within the centre, including:

• SignLive: A video relay service enabling deaf and hard-of-hearing guests to communicate with staff via a live BSL interpreter.
• Accessible parking: 68 disabled parking spaces located close to entrance lobbies on car park levels 2–5.
• Disabled toilets: Available on the Ground, First, and Second Floors, accessible via RADAR key.
• Quiet Hours: Every Wednesday (4–5pm) and Saturday (9–10am), when mall and store music is switched off.
• Autism Aware staff: Specially trained team members available to assist guests as needed.
• Sensory Backpacks: Available for free hire from the management office, containing sensory toys and tools for visitors with sensory processing difficulties.
   

“As a show of solidarity, our team will be wearing Purple Tuesday armbands on the day to mark our participation and raise awareness,” Murdoch added.

For more information on making events and public spaces accessible, resources and case studies are available through Scotland’s Business Support Hub, which offers guidance for organisers committed to creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming experiences for all.

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