Southampton store now open
Posted by Huw,
Six-and-a-half years after we first reported that a brand store would be coming to Southampton's West Quay shopping centre, it finally opened its doors at 9am this morning.
I wasn't there first thing (traffic into the city is terrible at that time of the day), but Brickset member soton_legoman was and took this photo of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
When I arrived just before 10am it was already quite busy, but nevertheless managed to have a good look round, be interviewed by the local paper, and had a chance to briefly talk to the manager, Sara.
To be honest, it's pretty much the same as every other brand store the world over. It's long, thin and much larger than many in the UK.
Take a look inside after the break...
The shop is just inside the main entrance to the shopping centre, a few doors down from the huge new Apple shop, so commands a prime position.
The inside will look familiar to anyone who has ever been in a brand store. You'll find all the usual features: pick-a-brick, buid-a-minifig, the 'brand ribbon' showcase windows, interactive displays and, of course, the entire product range, including 40353 Reindeer, Elf & Elfie which reportedly was not due to be released in the UK until 1st November.
Rob from BrickFanatics (who we bumped into this morning) reports that it's 90 bays long and will have 28 members of staff, compared to 16 in Brighton and Watford.
The pick-a-brick wall is 10 x 6, which is smaller than some, on account of narrow back wall. Nevertheless there was a good selection of parts. I've posted pictures of the contents on flickr.
The build-a-minifig bar has the new exclusive Halloween pieces, which I'll be writing about shortly.
This pirate stands outside, perhaps as a nod to the town's nautical heritage.
Check out our Instagram story for more pictures.
It's great to have a brand store on my doorstep, even if I did have to wait 6 years for it.
The grand opening event commences at 9am, Saturday 26th October and I will be there again then. Perhaps I'll see you there!
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26 comments on this article
I have been wanting a local store for years and years! I cant wait to go there and spend my money! :-)
Im going to the grand opening on the 26th to get some of the offers.
Looking forward to heading down this weekend!...and probably fairly regularly after that. It's pretty close to me, and it'll be nice to have a Pick a Brick wall so close.
aiming to get down on the grand opening saturday, and hopefully see some familiar faces there :)
Yup, looks like a Lego brand store. Good for (all of) you to have store close by now
I have to say I am disappointed that there isn't a LEGO Bargate. Nothing about it screams Southampton. Even a ship of some kind would have sufficed. Still, the small opening was nice, and I'm very happy with my mini VW camper from a lucky dip for the first in liners like me (third). Now the wait for the 26th!
Interesting. Looks very similar to the store in Liverpool in that its layout is like a long corridor.
The recently opened store in the Netherlands otoh looks like our local LEGO store here in Frankfurt, which has more of a square layout.
Cool! Lucky you!! I hope they'll open a first one before 3000 in Switzerland! :-))
@soton_legoman I could be wrong but I think some LEGO Stores put up MOCs by local builders - maybe someone nearby could build a LEGO Bargate for one of those displays? I'm sure the store would be interested in something with local interest, though I'm not sure how the selection process works.
Brickish (the UK club for AFOLs) usually works with the manager of the store to place models in the community showcase and things are in hand to do so once the store has bedded in a bit.
Thanks @Huw maybe this is a thought for the future then :)
Yeah, there are some custom Brickheadz in the Austin, TX store done by Texlug, so that is cool that each store has room for similar creative license!
Looks smaller than Brighton? Although it might be because its narrower. Might be just my eyesight in my old age!
^ Apparently it's bigger, at least in terms of staff numbers.
Is the branded tile available or is that just a grand opening offer? Want to make a visit next week but don’t want the scrum of a Saturday
The best thing to notice, for me, is that... 28 good people have a swell job ! In Paris, France, we are lucky enough to have two brand stores, I hope Lego will be able to open many more throughout the world ??
The one in Denmark/Copenhagen is also long and thin - with a square extension at the end.
@Davejack82 the branded tile is a grand opening item. It will be available throughout the opening weekend though, along with the 2 exclusive sets, so don't worry about the Saturday Scrum.
For me it's just a bit of a longer journey to this store than the one in Brighton, as i'm in the middle.
^ You can walk to the shop from the terminal at which it docks...
Not sure I'd recommend a winter crossing of the Atlantic to be honest. Even if it's not rough you'd be stuck inside for days on end for it being too cold on deck.
Cruising is very addictive, isn't it, but we can discuss that elsewhere :-)
There is/ should be a Lego brand store also opening in Ottawa Canada November 1st but it's very hard to find any details about it, not sure why.
Jeeez - is this the Brick Police, ready to enforce legal building techniques? I've never been to a Lego store, but we do have a "Spar" grocery store where the staff has a similar all-black + lanyards "casual authoritarian" look - the only thing missing are some cheap adjustable baseball caps. Really creeps me out and makes me think someone takes their hobby/business a bit too seriously, isn't this supposed to be a toy store? You know, for kids?
@axeleng : yeah, I have heard that rumor too. There have supposedly been incidents where LEGO has gotten into the hands of kids, despite the best efforts of scalpers and AFOLs the world over to try and stop this.
LEGO in the hands of kids? Disgusting thought.
;-)
Hopefully in another 6 years a store will appear in Norwich... The east of england is very poorly served. Come on Lego UK...
Again a big provocation for the Czech Lego fans. There is a huge Lego factory in the Czech Republic and there is NO Lego Store!!!
And the next Lego Store SHOULD be in the Czech Republic!!!!!!