Another Store, Another Island

November 29th, 2007

Apple is finalizing negotiations with developers to locate a retail store in the Victoria Square complex in Belfast (N. Ireland), the first store on the island. The store is now assigned space UG5 on the second level of the new 800,000 square-foot set of buildings in city centre that includes 98 shops, residential and office space, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, all converging on a 115-foot dome. Ironically, Apple already has a huge presence on the island, employing thousands in telephone technical support jobs based in Cork. The shopping complex, between City Hall and the River Lagan, will open in March 2008, but the Apple store will open later in the year.


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    While I agree that Belfast should be part of the country of Ireland it is still, at present, part of the UK, so technically this isn’t the first store in the Republic of Ireland, just the 19th store, or so, in the United Kingdom. Great news, however. [IFO - Thanks...correction made.]

    Sayhey November 29, 2007 at 12:49 am

    They’re fools if they don’t employ me!

    Andy November 29, 2007 at 3:29 am

    Regardless of 1rst or 19th store, i think its fantastic news!!!! GO APPLE! i think you have just made my husbands day or sorry i should say year!!!

    Caz November 29, 2007 at 5:57 am

    YAY!! BELFAST! FIRST STORE IN IRELAND BABY!!

    It’s rare for us to get something before Dublin! So WOOT! (Right Billy? :P).

    ^_^

    Jaydee November 29, 2007 at 9:19 am

    Gary, it’s interesting that we have an explosion of stores in the UK, but no movement in any of the rest of Europe. Is it so difficult to find acceptable locations in other European countries? Or is there some legal hurdles common in most of Europe that is not true for retailers in the UK?

    This is great, but where is that Paris store we all have been looking for?

    Sayhey November 30, 2007 at 1:50 am

    I also find it amazing that Apple have not opened an Apple Store in the Republic of Ireland seeing as the country has been seeing a massive growth since 1996 and the start of the Celtic Tiger.

    Also, a correction: Cork is not just the Call Centre for Apple Europe - there is still manufacturing going on with Leopard DVDs and packaging assembled there among other product lines.

    With so many UK stores opening up in the last year and so very little European openings I am beginning to believe that the Euro currency is the blokage on some level.

    KevMac November 30, 2007 at 10:11 am

    Stuff the politics, as Jaydee said, it’s the FIRST STORE IN IRELAND BABY!!

    And that, of course, is the Island of Ireland!

    saywhat November 30, 2007 at 11:56 am

    My bro in law got sent a plan of the different levels and it is there. There are plans on the Victoria website but the Apple store is not there so this must be the most up to date one. Check here.

    Drakeguild November 30, 2007 at 3:42 pm

    Only a bunch the Irish regardless of location would argue about something like this. Be thankful the store is coming to our island reagrdless of location!?

    Khitomer December 1, 2007 at 5:12 pm

    KevMac - I’m not sure I follow your notion regarding the euro.

    I’d say the reason the UK has a lot of Apple stores is quite simply because it’s the largest english speaking region in Europe, which makes it significantly easier for Apple to open stores there over other countries.

    Kevin Cannon December 2, 2007 at 8:51 am

    Anyone heard of plans for Dublin, Ireland???

    abracadave December 8, 2007 at 4:21 am

    Awesome news. Now all we need in Belfast is Pret a Manger or EAT and I will never have to go to London again.

    amorgan December 23, 2007 at 6:09 pm

    Belfast is not part of Ireland. Belfast is in Northern Ireland, yes its on the Island of Ireland but NOT Ireland. Until it is legally changed to Ireland no-one has the right to past comment of it using incorrect terms. And before you start about Ireland this and that, if it was Ireland you would have to pay for your health care.

    UK_man March 2, 2008 at 11:17 am

    UK_man were not here to debate whether its north south east west ireland, give it a break about the whole Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland thing, who gives a S**t ….. im just happy there is going to be an Apple Store near me whether that be in the North or South of Ireland i couldnt care less…. grow up and get a life.

    banned April 9, 2008 at 8:34 am

    Well said banned! Wake up and smell the roses UK_man and stop clinging onto the past. We’re all one Europe now anyway; all borders have came down! I’m over the moon that Apple have picked Belfast over Dublin for their first Irish store (purely because I’m from Belfast myself)… I’m almost positive my attendance at the Belfast Art College will suffer though! I’m hearing on the grapevine that it’ll be opening in September.

    bruno May 8, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    End of summer is a possibility. September is just coming from thin air.

    Joe May 13, 2008 at 1:11 am
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