Seven Up: The Entertainer.

The Entertainer was one of the stores reviewed in the original Autism Friendly Glasgow posts way back in the dark and distant days of this blog and to be honest it's a shop we've visited ever since but whereas last time we looked at the Buchanan Galleries store (still a favourite with Cass) this time we're talking about the one in the St. Enoch Centre.

So you'd better pay attention as there may be questions later.

You see, much like HMV, The Entertainer has become one of our regular, daily haunts since the girls started college so we've gone from weekend visits to 3 times a week for the last few years and, like HMV, is just one of those stores that is utterly fantastic and an absolute pleasure to visit.

The staff are genuinely interested in talking to the girls and are happy to chat with them on subjects ranging from toys to college to Embeth's obsession with obscure film and TV characters, plus they know what the girls (and myself!) collect so are always ready to tell us what new stuff is coming in and when - which is useful when trying to complete a collection!

And it's this rapport that the staff have built up with the girls that makes the visits extra special, it's a place where they can be excitedly - and unapologetically -  be themselves.

And if they - OK we - leave with a stash of new toys even better!

Layout-wise the shops is spacious, bright and easily navigated and staffed by folk who genuinely seem to like toys (bizarrely there are some people who grow out of this phase, scary I know) and are always on hand - but never overbearingly so - if you need help plus the website is also really easy to use if you want to buy online and the newsletter/email always features a huge amount of offers and deals plus news on upcoming events which is a win/win in my book.

The Entertainer is still one of the most Autistic friendly shops around and definitely the most Autistic friendly toy shop I've been in and long may it continue!