As Glasgow has now joined the growing rank of cities where O2 4G is available, we thought this might be a great time to brush up on our knowledge of the city.
Here are some facts about our latest 4G debutant:
1. Another fine mess: Glasgow hosted the first ever stage appearance of one Arthur Stanley Jefferson – otherwise known as Laurel & Hardy’s Stan Laurel. In 1906, at the tender age of just 16, Stan began his entertainment career at the Britannia Music Hall.
2. Shopaholics rejoice – Glasgow’s been named the ‘best place to shop outside London’s West End’ for the fourth consecutive year. Cha-ching!
3. Although it may have been pipped at the post by the UK capital when it comes to retail, Glasgow did beat London in the arena of law enforcement. In 1789 – 40 years before the Metropolitan Police was formed – professional policemen took to the streets of Glasgow.
4. Glasgow is home to some of the best customer service people EVER. Well okay, we may be biased, but our Skypark team is pretty awesome – fact.
5. Hampden Park, Scotland’s National Stadium and home to Queen’s Park Football Club, is the world’s oldest international football stadium. Opening in 1903, it remained the largest stadium on the planet until 1950, when the title was taken by the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
6. Glasgow isn’t short of a few records, and one of those records isn’t short at all. At 104 feet and three inches, Europe’s longest bar sits in The Horse Shoe on Drury Street. As well as boasting a bar which is as long as the Tower of London’s height, The Horse Shoe also has fast, free O2 Wifi inside.
7. Although it’s still Scotland’s largest and most populous city, Glasgow isn’t as crowded as it once was – from the 1880s to the 1950s, Glasgow had over 1 million inhabitants, making it the most densely populated cities on the planet.
8. The list of famous Glaswegians isn’t a small one. It seems there’s some real talent here…
World-class actors such as John Barrowman, Robert Carlyle, James McAvoy and Robbie Coltrane began life here, and Doctor Who’s 12th incarnation, Peter Capaldi, is also a son of Glasgow.
Musical talent isn’t in short supply here, either – Franz Ferdinand, Amy MacDonald, Travis, Texas, Midge Ure, Lulu and Wet Wet Wet are just some of Glasgow’s musical exports.
Speaking of ex-sports – Sir Alex Ferguson hails from Glasgow, as does current British Tennis champion and world number 2, Andy Murray.
9. Visitors to Glasgow may be forgiven for thinking they’ve somehow ended up in New York – the ‘Truth’ statue outside Glasgow’s City Chamber bears a striking resemblance to the Big Apple’s Statue of Liberty, although admittedly it’s a little bit smaller.
Got a fact about Glasgow? Know something you want to share with the world about any of our 4G cities? Let us know in the comments. Braw.
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