Birmingham Retail

[soft scoop]

Lloyds TSB which is closed on a Sunday will get people moving and invite people to shop new st? Compared to a 7 day, late evening opening retail store or restaurant??

[sefton66]

Banks are footfall drivers because of the cash points, It would be better for a retail store or restaurant at the unit but H&M has been closed for a while now and nothings come along so I have no problem with Lloyds moving

I think with the pallsades refurb and John Lewis opening the Bullring is going to have to "up its game" They've been able to claim the busiest shopping centre in the UK for a while now and obviously was top destination for most brands looking to open a store in Birmingham.

That may change when The pallasades re opens with the footfall from New St station id expect it to become top of the list for busiest centre and for retailers looking to relocate

I think it will help for longer opening hours of stores in the city and may lead to a leisure destination being proposed for the Bullring to "up" its appeal.

Id love to see Hammerson buy up The pallsades as it would work a lot better being marketed all as one site with the pallasades as an extension to the bullring. Hammerson are concentrating on its retail portfolio and I'm guessing BCC will be keen to offload it once the overhaul is complete

As for the Mailbox I think it works well for food and drinks outlets just not too well for Retail, be interesting to see what the owners plans are but personally I can see it being aimed at offices with food and drinks establishments and keeping a few shops at the front with HN

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by flange

The King of Trainers stores of sometimes used for a standalone footwear store for JD, they have one at Trafford Centre, or it is mixed in with the main sportswear range of JD aswell, is also their slogan for the company at times I think.

Will make sure to get some photos of temp Apple store for you guys, it looks like it could be ready to open soon, from the sneak glimpses you can see through the hoardings.

Oh I see, we don't have any of those in Brum lol, and yeah thanks look forward to seeing it. How is the Primark extension coming along?

Originally Posted by flange

The Bullring losing Apple would be a major blow to them, I imagine the Bullring owners will fight tooth and nail to keep hold of them, trying their best to free up space within the centre big enough for Apple to extend or relocate into. Apple did it at the Arndale, they waited for some time for space to free up at the Arndale and have had the lease for the unit of the temporary store for quite some time.

Well the revamped Pallasades/John Lewis opens in 2014, that gives Apple 2 years to find a spot in Bullring, because it is needed!! But considering it was one of the first Apple stores to open in the UK, and I think that is the reason why it is so small.

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by sefton66

Id love to see Hammerson buy up The pallsades as it would work a lot better being marketed all as one site with the pallasades as an extension to the bullring. Hammerson are concentrating on its retail portfolio and I'm guessing BCC will be keen to offload it once the overhaul is complete

As for the Mailbox I think it works well for food and drinks outlets just not too well for Retail, be interesting to see what the owners plans are but personally I can see it being aimed at offices with food and drinks establishments and keeping a few shops at the front with HN

We think so much a-like Sefton, I'd love to see this happen to Bullring/Pallasades!

And the Mailbox idea is also good too, but the new owners do have something in store I believe, and the amount of time they are taking to announce it, I take it its something big.

[sefton66]

....What about FCUK store? the bullring ones up for sale and surely being next to selfridges on the more upmarket side would be appealing to Apple?

Im sure Hammerson would be interested in assisting in that move aswel to get the footfall shifted to the other side aswel?

Also thinking about the River Island Accesory stand alone store that is meant to be opening at Bullring, I wonder if they might take some of the Forever 21 store? They could have a seperate store front then but be linked in with the actual River Island store?

[flange]

Originally Posted by ReissOmari

Oh I see, we don't have any of those in Brum lol, and yeah thanks look forward to seeing it. How is the Primark extension coming along?

The Primark refurb is coming along now, part of the refurbished store is opened up, but there is still a long way to go, the whole of the basement has now been closed off to be completly refurbished, thank god, should mean air conditioning will be installed on that floor now. And only one entrance is actually open on Market Street to the store, with the other two now behind scaffolding being refurbished and remodelled for new shopfronts. Would not be suprised if the refurb takes nearly a year, I imagine Primark will be aiming to be complete in time for the Christmas trade though.

Originally Posted by ReissOmari

Well the revamped Pallasades/John Lewis opens in 2014, that gives Apple 2 years to find a spot in Bullring, because it is needed!! But considering it was one of the first Apple stores to open in the UK, and I think that is the reason why it is so small.

Yes the Apple Birmingham store was the second UK store to launch, so probably the reason it is so small, if Hammerson cannot find space for them most likely Apple will relocate elsewhere in Birmingham, but like you say Reiss the space that Forever 21 might relet could be a good possibility? I would think once the Arndale refurb/extension is done, Apple might concentrate on the Birmingham store, with both the Manchester stores having now both been extended, they will most likely see the Bullring store as in need of a refurbishment and extension possibly?

[sefton66]

Hopefully Apple are looking at opening a store at Merry Hill aswel as a Birmingham relocation

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by sefton66

....What about FCUK store? the bullring ones up for sale and surely being next to selfridges on the more upmarket side would be appealing to Apple?

Im sure Hammerson would be interested in assisting in that move aswel to get the footfall shifted to the other side aswel?

Also thinking about the River Island Accesory stand alone store that is meant to be opening at Bullring, I wonder if they might take some of the Forever 21 store? They could have a seperate store front then but be linked in with the actual River Island store?

Yeah that could definatly work, the River Island could even go in the old Apple unit then, just means we would lose the FCUK store. But that would get that side of Bullring a lot of footfall!

Originally Posted by flange

The Primark refurb is coming along now, part of the refurbished store is opened up, but there is still a long way to go, the whole of the basement has now been closed off to be completly refurbished, thank god, should mean air conditioning will be installed on that floor now. And only one entrance is actually open on Market Street to the store, with the other two now behind scaffolding being refurbished and remodelled for new shopfronts. Would not be suprised if the refurb takes nearly a year, I imagine Primark will be aiming to be complete in time for the Christmas trade though.

Yes the Apple Birmingham store was the second UK store to launch, so probably the reason it is so small, if Hammerson cannot find space for them most likely Apple will relocate elsewhere in Birmingham, but like you say Reiss the space that Forever 21 might relet could be a good possibility? I would think once the Arndale refurb/extension is done, Apple might concentrate on the Birmingham store, with both the Manchester stores having now both been extended, they will most likely see the Bullring store as in need of a refurbishment and extension possibly?

Oh nice one, its a huge job that Primark one.

Apple for FCUK unit or downstairs Forever 21, I wonder if anyone from Apple can see this forum!

[flange]

Originally Posted by ReissOmari

Yeah that could definatly work, the River Island could even go in the old Apple unit then, just means we would lose the FCUK store. But that would get that side of Bullring a lot of footfall!

Oh nice one, its a huge job that Primark one.

Apple for FCUK unit or downstairs Forever 21, I wonder if anyone from Apple can see this forum!

You know how secretive Apple are Reiss, we only know about the Apple Arndale store work as one of the forumers knows a worker at the Arndale store so has got little bits of information from them.

Not sure how big the space Forever 21 are reletting is in sq ft, but from looking on the store map it does look rather big, possibly too big for Apple maybe it would need to be divided up for them?

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by flange

You know how secretive Apple are Reiss, we only know about the Apple Arndale store work as one of the forumers knows a worker at the Arndale store so has got little bits of information from them.

Not sure how big the space Forever 21 are reletting is in sq ft, but from looking on the store map it does look rather big, possibly too big for Apple maybe it would need to be divided up for them?

I see, Apple don't like to tell haha

The store map on the Bullring is quite big, but it includes the store rooms and Costa coffee at the back too, so the map actually makes it look bigger than it is

[ReissOmari]

Re: Flange

I've edited the the map for you, the black is the store rooms whih the pubpic don't see, and the cream is the Costa Coffee.

Considering how big Covent Garden is, I could see Apple using the whole unit.

[Erebus555]

For all y'all familiar with The Candy Store at the City Arcade by Union Street, you might be pleased to hear that a second store will be opening in Soho, London.

Really great to see a Birmingham brand build up so quick, especially after knowing how much work Jay Read has put into getting that and Jilted Royalty out the ground.

[sefton66]

To be honest I think forever 21 will downsize losing just the store frontage on middle level, I think they'll probably rearrange the store having their men's line at the back of the bullring middle level accessed by the staircase, shutting off the front half of the unit for a tennant. Could also see them offloading the current entrance on top level and river island accessory stand alone store opening there with a link through to the actual river island shop

For me apple needs to take FCUK or a unit in the pallasades

[Spread]

I would love Apple to take over the Waterstones on New Street as I think it would suit them perfectly. I also worry they Waterstones may shut one of their stores and I wonder who on earth would want their other one.

I doubt Apple will though but I can dream.

[AT84]

Hi, I am a long time visitor but this is my first post.

Have to say this is a great forum!

Also I have some info re: Apple in the Bullring - I understand that the GAP lease came up for renewal at the end of last year (right next door to Apple) and that they purchased the lease as Gap no longer wanted it. So chances are they will knock through and have a huge space there

[flange]

Originally Posted by ReissOmari

Re: Flange

I've edited the the map for you, the black is the store rooms whih the pubpic don't see, and the cream is the Costa Coffee.

Considering how big Covent Garden is, I could see Apple using the whole unit.

Thanks for that Reiss, maybe the unit will be divided up even without the stock room and Costa Coffee it is a big unit. Putting it into context, the Apple Covent Garden store is one of the world's largest Apple stores at 25,000 sq ft over three floor.

Apple will want as much coverage for their shop as possible, like they do with their existing unit, with it being on the Upper Mall and having the double height, it makes the store stand out alot more for them, so the French Connection unit could be a unit that Apple might be interested in.

With the possibility of the River Island Accessories Boutique opening. The existing Apple unit seems to be about the size that River Island are looking for the Accessories Boutique format, they are looking for store around the size of 2,000-3000 sq ft, which I think the Forver 21 unit would be too big for, if the space is not divided up that is. The first River Island Accessories Boutique store opened in Nottingham last year and it is 1,721 sq ft, so the space needed for the store is not huge.

[flange]

Originally Posted by AT84

Hi, I am a long time visitor but this is my first post.

Have to say this is a great forum!

Also I have some info re: Apple in the Bullring - I understand that the GAP lease came up for renewal at the end of last year (right next door to Apple) and that they purchased the lease as Gap no longer wanted it. So chances are they will knock through and have a huge space there

Great news that AT84 welcome to the forums by the way. Wonder if it could be the same as Manchester with a temporary store having to open to complete the extension and refurbishment works. The first sign really of Apple store works is the black hoardings so if they spring up you know you got one coming soon.

[Spread]

Do we know why Gap are vacating Might they perhaps be taking the surplus space from Forever 21? I noticed that the unit between Burger King and Fossil has hoardings up anyone who what is going there? Apologies if I haven't been paying attention

[Erebus555]

Gap have got some major financial problems, it wouldn't surprise me if they started consolidating their stores in the UK soon.

[AT84]

Originally Posted by flange

Great news that AT84 welcome to the forums by the way. Wonder if it could be the same as Manchester with a temporary store having to open to complete the extension and refurbishment works. The first sign really of Apple store works is the black hoardings so if they spring up you know you got one coming soon.

Thanks Flange - Love the name btw

Yes, I cant see how it can remain open where it is with the extensive work that will need to take place to make it into a complete unit.

Makes sense for the Birmingham store to be much bigger, I believe that last year it was not only second behind Selfridges for sales but I believe it is second to only Covent Garden in sales.

As for Gap, seeing as they have two pretty big units close to each other anyway it would make sense to close them both and have a more manageable unit similar to the size of even the size of the current Apple store.