I have been to the Sheriff Court in Hamilton, not for an offence (Honest Guv) but on Jury Duty…read more It's easy to navigate your way around the court, and there are plenty of staff on site to help you. I was picked for duty and ended up being there for about 2 weeks, at what I could see was a pretty cut and dry case. We were provided with lunch, which was actually quite good, and you got to choose what you wanted from a menu in the mornings. Not much of a review! But how can you review somewhere like this! The building itself is massive and architecturally grand, which is nice to visit even if you aren't there for anything in particular.

Ever come up from the Buchanan Street Subway Station and wondered what the funny looking…read moremulti-coloured building on your right is? Well, here's your chance to find out - it's a Business Gateway branch. Along with the other Glasgow city centre branch on North Hanover Street, Business Gateway are a public service that offer advice and support to new and growing businesses. If you have a business idea and would like some help to put it into practice - then this is the place for you! This branch of Business Gateway is the branch where you'll meet up with your personal business advisor. It's a really friendly looking building on the outside, and you'll be pleased to know that it's just as welcoming on the inside. The staff at the reception are friendly and helpful - and if you pop in and ask them they'll make you an appointment with an advisor. If you're feeling a bit nervous - don't be. Business Gateway isn't at all intimidating and they'll provide you with all the help and advice you need. The only slight problem is that every time a subway train goes past underneath the whole building rumbles. I've been assured that you get used to it after a while though!

When I first threw away my teaching career for a life as a writer, I decided that I needed a brand…read more So I set myself up as a business, and bothered The Gateway for advice. For the next six months, they sent me on courses, tipped me off to various necessities and prepared me for life as as a business. The quality of the courses can be hit or miss: I have been disappointed by ones that last a day (too general), but anything ongoing is usually a winner. Sine they have a wide range of advisers, they can assess your plans from a variety of angles. They offer instruction on everything from branding to tax, and can pass you on to appropriate support.

This is a well handy branch of the post office situated within a nice wee shop stocked with…read morestationary and groceries. Having recently undergone a pretty drastic face lift, the Charing Cross Post office is now a rather pretty looking wee place which is bright, clean and fit for purpose. Friendly staff and ques that ain't as long as the Great Wall of China, make this a nicer experience than some of the other more central PO's. Oh, one more thing. I know somebody who actually gave birth to her second kid right there in the very post office. That was about 9 years ago and the staff still remember who she is...thats just cool.

I feel like this is how a Post Office should be run. It's attached to a decent-sized shop, with all…read morethe Post Office services available at the back. There are several windows so multiple customers can be served at once and I've never been in with fewer than two of these running. The shop sells standard convenience store items as well as anything you might need in a post office, including stationary, bubble wrap, boxes and packaging. It's spacious and well laid out so that even when there are a lot of customers in the branch, it isn't difficult to get around and it doesn't feel over crowded. The staff are helpful and polite and are happy to make suggestions or give advice if you need it. I especially like that there's a large poster on the wall with a little Charing Cross history on it. That seems like a nice touch and I was tempted to stop and read it but, thanks to how efficient the staff are, I didn't have a long enough wait. Only two things prevent this branch from getting five stars. The first is that it doesn't have an ATM, which I've seen in other branches and I feel like the have space for. The second is that the opening hours are a bit limited - they're only open 07:30-17:30 Monday-Friday. Staying open just an hour later, or opening for a few hours on Saturdays would making using this branch far more convenient.

Confession time: I am a nerd. A legal nerd, to be specific. When I first moved to Glasgow and had…read morelots of free time (read: no job) I actually went to the High Court for a day to watch a trial. Because my life is just that exciting. More recently I was nearby to the High Court and needed the loo. I am pleased to say the staff here were really nice and accommodating and happily let me into the building. You need to go through security and they'll have a nosey through your bag. The building then has a main reception desk which is where you can go up to look at the court lists of the day (hint: don't ask reception to tell you which cases are the most juicy as they'll judge you severely). If you're in to observe proceedings, they follow very strict rules and guidelines. You can't eat, drink or use your phone in the courtroom so don't even think about looking at it. Stand up when the Judge enters and leaves the room, and some people chose to bow to the bench as a mark of respect. Going to court is never going to be exciting like it is on TV, but if you have any interest in the law I'd highly recommend going along to see the law in action. /Geek out ends.

Without wishing to sound *too* dodgy I have spent a silly amount of time hanging, wandering and…read morewaiting about in both the Sheriff and High Courts of Glasgow. Without a doubt the Glasgow High Court is the more glamorous and sexier of the two. Not only is it architecturally better looking but it is where, should you have the great (mis)fortune to be cited for Jury Duty, all the juicy/more interesting cases/trials are dealt with. Handily situated just slightly on the outskirts of town it is a bit easier to get to than the Sheriff Court also, being a bit closer to train/subway stations. To get to the High Court I find the best way is down King Street, heading away from town, past Mono/Mr.Ben and then to the left slightly, across the road, along Mart Street & you will soon happen upon the court. Should you need a drink to calm you doon after the trial then I can suggest Mono or The 13th Note for refreshing your TOTALLY INNOCENT thirst. Phew. Upon entrance to the High Court please be wary of donning your best heavy studded belt/dog collar or metal codpiece as, much like an airport/the O2 Academy/American High Schools, there is a walk-through metal detector & security guard on hand should you feel frisky, I mean, need to be frisked. The security guard also doubles as an Agent of the Info so they'll check your citation & direct you to what is essentially yet more Agents of the Info at the Reception desk. Here they stamp your citation & give you directions to your fate, I mean court room. Upon my last visit I was in a far far away court room (I almost half expected it to be named Narnia) & I managed to get successfully lost until I encountered more Agents of the Info who showed me my path to freedom/the court room. Please refrain from asking people that aren't AOTI for directions but are actually just VERY SMARTLY DRESSED FOLK/NON-AGENTS looking a bit sober/conservative as I did, this only causes to not only frustrate them but slightly embarrass yourself. There are plentiful (legal) toilets to be found within this court. There is however no jukebox or popcorn counter. There is possibly, if you're lucky, a vending machine somewhere for hot/cold beverages but I didn't happen across one here as I have in the Sheriff Court. The room we sat in for what felt like a small eternity only had a water machine. The court room I was in last visit was apparently the oldest one in the building being nearly 132 years old. It looked very grand indeed, although I guess if you're standing on trial being accused of something naughty the last thing you're going to appreciate is the historical architecture and ye olde cornicings of this said ancient court room. However me being of innocent standing I did do a mini 'Ooh!' in my head as I walked in. If you're a fan of funny wigs, pomp & ceremony, waiting around, wood, Law & Order, A Few Good Men or just the whole fascinating process that is the Scottish law proceedings then this is the place for you. I just hope you're only ever here in the bestest way possible and not because you are a rum'un (as my Mum would say).

This is a very small post office which shares it premises with a hairdressers and a fancy goods…read morekiosk. I have never had to wait long to be served and while waiting therees plenty of chit chat going on and lovely gifts to look at. This is one of the friendliest post offices ive been in and I think most of that is due to the pleasant staff that work there cant comment on the hairdressers but it always been busy.

Excellent, helpful staff. Parking outside in a dedicated car park. Upstairs study area with…read morecomputers and tables. Good reading group and toddlers group. The building itself is warm , bright and welcoming.

Okay, so on paper the work that the Glasgow West Regeneration Agency do is great. They offer a…read moreservice to people who are starting up in business - particularly those in areas that are part of Glasgow's regeneration project. This means that as well as offering business advice and support, they also award grants and loans to certain businesses. This means that if you're thinking of starting a business, it might be an idea to look into getting premises in a regeneration area as they may give you some money towards your rent! However, they're not particularly flexible about who they help. I live two minutes walk from this very office, and the first four digits of my post code are exactly the same. I phoned to find out about what help may be available and the woman who answered the phone was almost exactly like the woman on the "computer says no" sketch on Little Britain. Our conversation went exactly like this; Me: Hi, I'm calling to find out about what support you may be able to offer my new business. Glasgow West Regeneration (GWR): What's your postcode? Me: G11 6__ GWR: [types it into computer] No, you're not in our area. Me: But I can practically see your office from my window. GWR: You're not in our area. Me: So you can't offer me a grant, can you offer me any other advice or support? GWR: No, you're not in our area. Goodbye. See what I mean?

Spacious comfortable centre comprising Hillhouse Library a large hall and a reasonably sized room…read moreavailable for meetings and groups. Good facilities and well used by many groups. WHEB Credit Union are here on Tuesday evenings and Jobcentre Plus also hold various events here. Vending machines with drinks and snacks are in the foyer and staff are friendly and helpful. Modern facilities are also available as required. Noticeboard with lots of information is in the foyer.