I passed by Ruthven Lane today, another reminder of a West End that is rapidly changing. I spent a lot of time in Ruthven Lane over the last few years… from DiMaggios when I first moved here (and could afford to eat out reasonably regularly!) and obviously through becoming involved with ThinkMac, which became JustMac.

I remember first hearing of the “Phiten” shop ran by David and not knowing what to expect…He and his store rapidly became an important (and friendly!) part of Ruthven Lane. Then he brought along Alfie - the adorable labrador pup!

Times have changed however, after 10 years of there being a “mac shop down the lane” JustMac closed, Phiten has also gone on to bigger and better premises, now being part of Debenhams in Glasgow’s City Centre (although I doubt that Alfie is still turning up to work!).

Today, Ruth - the shop’s “adopted” cat who would greet me every day was nowhere to be seen, having obviously got fed up waiting for us to come and let her in the back door for a heat by the Calor Gas fire. The Phiten unit, along with Number 18 and the old Aspire building all lie empty, and I can’t wonder how far behind Relics et al are now that the lane has changed hands.

We have some fond memories of Ruthven Lane; Refitting the shop as a surprise for Mike when he was at in the Park, numerous midnight shop-fittings, the many times we had dinner delivered to “the lane” and sat in the middle of it on big fold up chairs… etc…

Ruthven Lane is far from dead, rather parts of it are rising like the pheonix. The old solicitors office’s are being redeveloped into Ruthven Mews which will hopefully attract new little niché shops and businesses who can take their first steps on Ruthven Lane as we once did, and that (while it will never compete with Ashton or Cresswell Lane) it continues to be a thriving part of the West End for the next 10 years.