Earlier this month, Apple announced they would depart Victoria Square after 16 years in the shopping centre, amid an exodus of high-profile brands fleeing the multi-million pound outlet – to move to a new larger location in Belfast.
The new shop, which remains the only Apple store on the island of Ireland, was later confirmed as 3 Corn Market, as part of The Keep, a new shopping location in the city centre which recently welcomed a new multi-floor H&M store, which also left Victoria Square earlier this year.
It will open its doors from 9am tomorrow (Friday) with the Victoria Square location already closed.
Listed as a “street location”, the new store, which unlike the former location will only be one floor, will welcome a new space dedicated to Apple’s Vision Pro – a mixed-reality headset which went on sale in the UK in July.
The Vision Pro is Apple’s first 3D camera and first spatial computer. It retails for £3,400.
The new store will offer one-on-one demos for the headset and a double counter Genius Bar for tech assistance and support with Apple’s products.
Apple Belfast, like all Apple stores, will also run on 100% renewable energy and was built with a sustainable choice of materials, including a bio polymer terrazzo floor and features a dedicated area ‘Apple Pickup,’ making it easier for customers to order online and collect their devices in-store at a time that is convenient for them.
The new store will also have resigned “avenues” to highlight Apple’s products more prominently as well as to aid wheelchair access.
It will also offers customers varied table and seating heights, expanded assisted listening systems, and enhanced visual and acoustic clarity.
The store will also employ over 90 people which includes musicians, singers, audio engineers, fine artists and poetry writers.
The staff will also assist in Apple’s educational classes which will be held at the store, including Learn to Code with Swift Playgrounds, and Making a Theme Song and Apple Camp, which is currently in its 22nd year.
Apple’s brand new Belfast store
The new Belfast location comes just weeks after Apple launched a series of brand new products – including the highly anticipated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.
The iPhone 16 went on sale from September 16 alongside new AirPods models.
From December, Apple will launch Apple Intelligence (in UK English) – the company’s own version of artificial intelligence.
The software will only be available to those living in the UK and US, meaning those living in the Republic of Ireland will not be able to access Apple Intelligence features – but those living in Northern Ireland can do.
Apple’s departure from Belfast’s Victoria Square also means another high-profile retailer has left the shopping centre in recent months.
Four big name stores have moved out in recent times.
Clothing retailer H&M recently left the centre, alongside European shoe retail giant Deichmann which opened its first Northern Ireland store in the Castle Lane area in April.
Fashion store Tessuti, which was owned by the Frasers Group, also recently shut following a closing down sale in July, while the outdoor wear shop Craghoppers, which was located next to H&M, also closed down.
The highest profile loss to Victoria Square was the brands Topshop and Topman, both of which had flagship shops in the centre from its opening in 2008.
Head of Retail for Apple’s European operations Wendy Beckman said the company was thrilled to opening the new store.
“We are thrilled to be opening our new store in Belfast, after serving customers in the city since 2008,” she said.
“Our new home will be a place for all of the community and serve as a destination to explore and buy Apple’s incredible product line up, experience unparalleled service and support, and learn how to get the most out of Apple’s devices.”