Apple Store London to open November 21

[dodonutter]

I won't stay if theres more than 300 people there. What time is every1 turning up if there camping??

 

[Applespider]

Wel, if you're prepared for a 3/4 min walk, there's one of those portable toilets opposite selfridges. They are suitable for women btw, but you have to pay like 20p I think to use it. Plus they have a really cool electronic sliding door 😉

I know the ones you mean - you have to be fairly swift using them. And you can't cheat by slipping in as someone else leaves - since they have a autocleaning cycle that does the entire cubicle. I did once spot a teenager hopping in to save the 20p or whatever, and coming out very wet and a little blue. I was talking about those weird urinals that literally rise out of the ground on Fri/Sat nights in the West End - there's one down near Charing Cross as you walk up the back of St Martins in the Field.

I'll be there as long as it's dry. Tho I haven't decided whether to get a Lucky Bag or not. I don't need most of what's likely to be in it (or I already own it) so I'd just end up sticking it all on Ebay in anycase. And with 200 other copies of the software up there, I'm not sure how much of the £250 you'd get back. And since I already get 12% discount off most Apple stuff, I'm not sure.

Breakfast requests - I'd stick to Starbucks panini or McDs to be honest. I think the old greasy spoon near Cavendish Square gave up the ghost.

I do know a great place for Friday night supper (they do take out or very fast diner service) - Bodeans BBQ on Poland St. The best BBQ ribs and pulled pork in London - www.bodeansbbq.com

 

[dodonutter]

Personally i think it would be quite funny to phone up and order 20 pizzas to be delivered to the bunch of Bums with laptops on Regents street.

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping everyone who camps out is going to have a small 'Mac lovers only' party If there are a lot less than 300 people staying the night then it really doesn't matter what the order is does it? Are there any benifits from being Numero Uno?

 

[~Shard~]

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping everyone who camps out is going to have a small 'Mac lovers only' party If there are a lot less than 300 people staying the night then it really doesn't matter what the order is does it? Are there any benifits from being Numero Uno?

That brings up a good point - other than being there for the grand opening, is anyone planning on rushing in and actually buying anything right away? It's not like there's going to be a "50% off Sale" on PowerMacs or something. Or maybe there will be... 😱

 

[MemphisSoulStew]

Toilets, caffs and parking

The nearest toilets are next to Liberty, on the pedestrianised bit that leads into Carnaby Street - proper Victorian basement toilets, both Gents and Ladies, but I don't know if they are open all night. I think there's also a pay toilet at the top of Argyll Street, next to the entrance/exit for Oxford Circus tube, which would be closer than Selfridges.

There are bound to be some all night caffs in Soho - I'll be in the area on Sunday shopping with the family and I had planned on doing a quick recce for nearby parking spaces, so I'll have a look for all night caffs/McD's/toilets etc. as well.

If I can find somewhere not too far away that has free parking on Saturday morning I'll drive up on the morning, otherwise I'll be catching the first tube from Osterley. I don't think there's anywhere in Westminster that has free Saturday a.m. parking, but the area around Waterloo station/South Bank should be OK and it's only a few stops on the tube from Waterloo to Oxford Circus, or I can walk it in 15-20 minutes.

 

[mattmook]

I really do hope it wont be that cold, and that its dry.

It's half the fun though if it is raining and freezing cold. Even better if it snowed ;-)

MatMook, are you going from work or St. Albans?

Think I'm gonna go in from work... means I can get there a wee bit earlier and hopefully won't feel so knackered from travelling from one side of london to the other and back again. Anway probably gonna do some shopping before I queue up for things like food.

 

[mattmook]

Personally i think it would be quite funny to phone up and order 20 pizzas to be delivered to the bunch of Bums with laptops on Regents street.

I was quite tempted to do this - hot food minimal effort 🙂

Anyone know who will deliver? Closest pizza place I know of is Momento Pizza , 37 Foley St, London, W1W 7TN Tel: 020 75804443 - I dunno if they deliver but if they don't they are at least just up the road. Maybe I'll give em a call sometime next week.

 

[mattmook]

That brings up a good point - other than being there for the grand opening, is anyone planning on rushing in and actually buying anything right away?

Yeah I actually want to buy two things, a second airport express and also a bluetooth mouse. If anyone has any recommendations for bluetooth mice please post it to the thread I just started here. Probably also get a new keyboard as well.

 

[mattmook]

I won't stay if theres more than 300 people there. What time is every1 turning up if there camping??

Someone said at around 2.30. I believe most ppl said they would arrive around 6 pm. Myself I'm aiming for sometime between 4pm and 6pm although I'll probably be in London from around 2.

 

[dodonutter]

Someone said at around 2.30. I believe most ppl said they would arrive around 6 pm. Myself I'm aiming for sometime between 4pm and 6pm although I'll probably be in London from around 2.

Well the expo closes at 5 so probably leave a little before that and get there at 6ish so glad to hear won't be alone

 

[Sayhey]

I know it's not the same as an official Apple store, but there is this item from Macworld UK.

New Apple stores in Liverpool, Jersey

By Macworld staff

More news from Apple's reseller channels, with a new stores in Jersey and Liverpool and a new accreditaion...

Tim Evans is in the process of opening a new Apple store in Jersey, "dedicated to supplying Apple products, especially iPods and iPod minis). The store will offer the complete Apple range, and expert users will be on hand to help out, particularly with art and design queries.

The outlet also promises a music download service for people who lack the time or knowledge to rip their own CDs. The shop is undergoing a refit at present, but Evans hopes to open on November 20. The store will be called 'i-Q'.

Liverpool launch Saturday

Meanwhile, more news from Liverpool's first-ever AppleCentre, which is scheduled to open this Saturday (November 6) with a raft of special offers for first-time customers. There's an advertising campaign for the launch running on local Liverpool radio station, Radio City. The store is situated in Liverpool's up-and-coming Albert Dock area

Managing director Roy Seddon explained: "The first ten customers on the opening day can buy an iPod mini at half-price; and all Canon cameras bought that day will come with a free Canon Neck Chain, a free Mini Tripod, and a free 128MB memory card."

 

[FireArse]

you may be lucky....

Yeah I actually want to buy two things, a second airport express and also a bluetooth mouse. If anyone has any recommendations for bluetooth mice please post it to the thread I just started here. Probably also get a new keyboard as well.

I understand that the 'lucky bag' MAY conatain those items......plus ul get the 10% discount card!!

Common baby, iPod mini or 20GB iPod in my bag!! (please with plenty of sugar on top!!!) ordering pizza is my kinda night, i like the sound of Starbucks on Saturday morning too though! i think the MacD in Liecester Square opens till 3am for all the kids wanting Happy Meals in the Apple queue!

FireArse 😀

 

[hob]

I understand that the 'lucky bag' MAY conatain those items......plus ul get the 10% discount card!!

Common baby, iPod mini or 20GB iPod in my bag!! (please with plenty of sugar on top!!!) ordering pizza is my kinda night, i like the sound of Starbucks on Saturday morning too though! i think the MacD in Liecester Square opens till 3am for all the kids wanting Happy Meals in the Apple queue!

FireArse 😀

OK, I've taken time off work (it's my "cousins wedding") - and I'm coming down from Uni! I live about 35-40 minutes away from the store (by train + tube) but I dunno - I'm not TOO sure I fancy staying out all night but when's the earliest I can get there by train? If I left at 6am...?

The only people making it necessary to be out all night are you guys who seem to want to do it - if everybody decided to just turn up at 6am instead... I dunno... not moaning just commenting 🙂

Hob

 

[mattmook]

The only people making it necessary to be out all night are you guys who seem to want to do it - if everybody decided to just turn up at 6am instead... I dunno... not moaning just commenting 🙂

True, but where is the fun in that. Sleeping on the streets of London is on my life long to-do list anyway so tying it in with this works well for me! Also I'd have trouble getting in to London for 6 am and would quite like a lucky bag. Of course there aren't going to be that many of us on the streets over night and so long as you turn up early in the morning the chances of getting a lucky bag and/or in to the store relatively quickly are still going to be incredibly good. It certainly isn't necessary to be out all night.

 

[hob]

True, but where is the fun in that. Sleeping on the streets of London is on my life long to-do list anyway so tying it in with this works well for me! Also I'd have trouble getting in to London for 6 am and would quite like a lucky bag. Of course there aren't going to be that many of us on the streets over night and so long as you turn up early in the morning the chances of getting a lucky bag and/or in to the store relatively quickly are still going to be incredibly good. It certainly isn't necessary to be out all night.

Oh goody - that lucky bag's gonna be my christmas present from my mum if I can get my hands on one - if there's an iPod photo in the bottom I'll be very happy. Otherwise I'll play with all the stuff then sell what I don't want on eBay till I have enough for an iPod photo!!

Hob
(in need of a 40gig iPod - 20g's full!)

 

[MemphisSoulStew]

My sister works nearby, and she has promised to stop on her way in to work and say hello to me in the queue, with a box of Krispy Kremes and the biggest cup of coffee she can find. So if you see a bloke in a parka getting a delivery of Krispy Kremes come and say hello, say the magic word, and you can have a donut.

 

[mattmook]

if there's an iPod photo in the bottom I'll be very happy. Otherwise I'll play with all the stuff then sell what I don't want on eBay till I have enough for an iPod photo!!

Gonna have to save up I'm afraid. If you read the terms and conditions here you'll see the lucky bag will be made up of the following:

The Lucky Bags may contain a selection of the following items in any combination: Airport Express, Wireless Mouse, Wireless Keyboard, D-Link, Keynote, .Mac, iLife, iSight Camera, 20GB iPod, Silver iPod Mini, JBL on Tour, GarageBand Jam Pack, Limited Edition iPod Case, Limited Edition iPod Mini Case, ProCare, 10% off coupon, Insider’s Guide to London DVD or a World Book Encyclopedia.​

 

[wdlove]

My sister works nearby, and she has promised to stop on her way in to work and say hello to me in the queue, with a box of Krispy Kremes and the biggest cup of coffee she can find. So if you see a bloke in a parka getting a delivery of Krispy Kremes come and say hello, say the magic word, and you can have a donut.

I would say that you are one very lucky guy to have a sister like that. If London is anything like Boston it could be very cold. It would seem that a sleeping bag and blankets would be in order. The best part would be the coffee, freshly delivered by a sister. 😀

 

[MemphisSoulStew]

Free parking in Westminster

If anyone is thinking of driving I had a look around today and found some free Saturday parking on meters not too far from Regent Street.

In the area around Petty France/Victoria Station/Scotland Yard there are several streets with meters that are free on Saturday, including Caxton Street, Queen Annes Gate and Old Queen Street. The nearest tube stations are St. James's Park and Westminster, but using either of those would involve a change at either Embankment or Victoria to get to Regent Street. Lower Regent Street is just a short walk across St James' Park though, so I'm going to walk it. I plan on parking up at about 5:45 am on Saturday.

For the campers Bar Italia in Frith Street is open all night and is a short walk from Regent Street.

I would say that you are one very lucky guy to have a sister like that

I lent her the money for a G3 iBook a year ago and ever since she's been treating me to donuts and home-made cakes whenever she gets the chance 😀

 

[johnnyjibbs]

Does the congestion charge apply on Saturdays? Even so, train is my better option.

 

[mattmook]

Does the congestion charge apply on Saturdays? Even so, train is my better option.

No, congestion operating hours: 7am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays.

 

[Mustafa]

Save the world -- take the train

No, congestion operating hours: 7am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays.

But you'd still be crazy to come by car -- unless you're buying half a dozen G5s, of course!

 

[dodonutter]

Only advantage of driving is that you could get there before the tube starts running (i think it stops running). Any estimates on the number of people that are going to turn up??

 

[MemphisSoulStew]

But you'd still be crazy to come by car -- unless you're buying half a dozen G5s, of course!

Why? I live just inside the M25, west of London and at 5:00am, when I plan to leave home, there will be no traffic on the road. I reckon it will take me about 30 minutes to get to St James Park from home, followed by a brisk 10-15 minute walk from there to Regent Street. If I get the tube I have to pay to park my car in the station car park, pay for a travel card, wait on a cold platform for a train then spend 40-45 minutes being shaken around until I get to Picadilly Circus. Then - assuming I get a lucky bag - I've got to negotiate the tube on the way home with an armful of expensive gear, in addition to the bag and the stuff that I'll be taking with me.

The first tube train leaves at 05:16, getting to Picadilly circus at 05:59, so I'd be leaving home at the same time (5:00am) to allow time to park and get a tube ticket. It's quicker and cheaper to drive.

Sounds crazy not to drive up if you can.

 

[Mustafa]

Why? I live just inside the M25, west of London and at 5:00am, when I plan to leave home, there will be no traffic on the road. I reckon it will take me about 30 minutes to get to St James Park from home, followed by a brisk 10-15 minute walk from there to Regent Street. If I get the tube I have to pay to park my car in the station car park, pay for a travel card, wait on a cold platform for a train then spend 40-45 minutes being shaken around until I get to Picadilly Circus. Then - assuming I get a lucky bag - I've got to negotiate the tube on the way home with an armful of expensive gear, in addition to the bag and the stuff that I'll be taking with me.

The first tube train leaves at 05:16, getting to Picadilly circus at 05:59, so I'd be leaving home at the same time (5:00am) to allow time to park and get a tube ticket. It's quicker and cheaper to drive.

Sounds crazy not to drive up if you can.

You should move! I live outside the M25 on the east side, but can reach the Apple Store in 45 mins door to door by train any time of the day.

Not that I will on the 20th -- sounds like it's going to be mayhem. I'll go to MacExpo on the 19th (by train) and spend the 20th playing with my iPod Photo -- if Apple keep to their delivery promise.