The newest UK retail store that opened Thursday at Cabot Circus continues what will apparently be the traditional design for future stores: a two-story model with a glass façade, covering stainless steel inside, and highlighted by a back-lit Apple logo suspended in between. Photos by Sam show that the store is a duplicate of the one that opened last week in Belfast (Ireland). Check photos and Sam’s report after the break.
Also view two panoramic photos that show the store in context with the other stores - #1 / #2
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APPLE CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL, UK
SEPTEMBER 25TH 2008
GRAND OPENING TIME: 12:30pm
The Grand Opening Day for me started at 8am, thought I would get there early.. to beat the waiting crowd who had come to the opening.. but I was the only one, who got there first! without the need for lining up overnight.
So for the next 3 hours or so, I headed in to the nearest Starbucks.
At 11.40 a.m. - I cam back to the store, this time the area surrounding it was very busy :) but there were still black barriers in place, as the new Cabot Circus shopping complex was due to be opened at 12 noon.
At 12 noon, the waiting over and the shoppers decamped into the many new stores also opening that day.
Metal barriers were put aside for the Apple Store opening, so I headed for them, and got in line - the first of many.. as there was such a rush by others who wanted to get into the new Apple Store in Bristol.
The wait was nearly over…
At 12:15 p.m. the new Apple Store employees came out, and did the usual hand-slapping hi-5’s, along with a Mexican wave to keep the crowds amused..
12:29p.m. - The glass doors of the Cabot Circus store re-opened.. a manager came out to welcome everybody to the new store..
12:30 p.m. - WELCOME APPLE STORE TO BRISTOL, UK ! Now the rush was on to get inside - and claim a Opening Day T-Shirt
The first 20 people waiting were let into the store, who were greeted by the customary lining-up of the employees, cheering the first customers into the store.
Then - it was my time :) I walked into the store with a photographer friend and Apple user friend of mine, got our Grand Opening t-shirts, made our way through being greeted by the employees… I even got recognised by some of the staff ! as I’m a local mini-celebrity and Apple expert.
We made our way upstairs to the 2nd level via the glass staircase, to check out the genius bar and to fill in the Opening day Apple Sweepstakes:
“Enter the Grand Opening Sweepstake to win a Digital Lifestyle Collection that includes a 13-inch Black MacBook and a silver 8GB iPod nano. No purchase necessary.”
Still the waiting crowd came into the store 20 at a time. By now the store was totally packed :) which is fantastic to see.
I stayed at the store for about an hour to soak up the opening day atmosphere.
On my way out, I met the Store Manager, and talked with her about what I could offer to the store as a locally based Apple Pro Solution Expert.. I’ll be meeting with them again this week, to discuss further plans for some store events and workshops for me to present.
Here’s some further details about the store:
- - downstairs: back of the store area for workshops
- no theatre
- lift (elevator) for wheelchair and baby buggy access to 2nd level
- downstairs: Apple’s great glass staircase going up to the 2nd level
- downstairs: all Apple hardware on Apple’s custom tables
- upstairs: 2x Genius Bars
- upstairs: kids area with computers
- upstairs: long table in middle of store with more Apple hardware
- upstairs: all software and iPhone/iPod accessories
The new shopping area is fantastic, and the area and sidewalks are also kept very clean. The other retail stores are also major, such as the new Harvey Nick’s fashion store near by.
It’s great to see a busy Apple Store in the heart of SW England at last!
You can visit the stores website at: www.apple.com/uk/retail/cabotcircus.
Extra info: The Cabot Circus shopping development is named after JOHN CABOT who in the 1800’s discovered America and the New World, via his sailing ship The Matthew.
He gave name to the country of ‘Newfoundland’ which is on the east side of the Canadian and USA Border.
