Latest news with #CabotCircus
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Apple is shutting big city centre store tomorrow in blow to high street shoppers
APPLE is shutting a big city centre store tomorrow in a huge blow to high street shoppers. The global tech giant will no longer be selling its products in a bespoke multi-floor facility in one of the UK's most popular towns. 4 4 It was previously announced that the two-floor Apple store at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre in Bristol would shut down. This was due to redevelopment plans at the shopping centre after serving the community for 15 years. Apple announced that the employees at the shop would be staying with the company but would be redeployed elsewhere. When the news was first announced, a spokesperson for the shop previously told Macrumours: "At Apple, we're always focused on providing an exceptional experience for all of our customers. "Due to the redevelopment plans at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, which include the closure of the section where our store is located, Apple Bristol will close on August 9, 2025. "We've loved serving the Bristol community for over 15 years, and our valued team members will continue their roles at Apple." However, many residents have taken to social media with concerned posts, as they are worried this might seriously impact the local community. On social media fan forum site Reddit, a number of dedicated threads have been created in tribute to the shop. Droves of users flooded the comment section as another said: "I need to visit the Galleries before it closes for good, because I want to spend one last time there." Free upgrade for millions of cars from Apple revealed While a third explained: "Bath has a huge Apple store in case that's useful to anyone." Someone else simply stated: "Didn't expect that one to close." While an additional user wrote: "As a blind user of apples, I'm sad about this. It was convenient. Cribs is quite far out, isn't it? I live by there harbour. Thinking Bath might be easier by taxi." And a sixth concerned resident added: "I honestly think it's going to kill Bristol, lots of shops have shut and moved to cribs. Lots of jobs will be lost in Bristol cause of lack of shops." Local Change New shops are set to line Philadelphia Street in the city as Cabot Circus is set to be completely transformed. Bristol Alliance Partnership proposed that the shops' first floor areas will be replaced by a space that will suit new, flexible workspaces and healthcare. The plans also supported "sustainable urban development," whilt putting an emphasis on preserving the architectural heritage of the site,. We previously reported that the current location of the Apple store will be transformed into a "vibrant" public space for relaxation. Unhappy Locals However, some local residents worry about the long-term management of the Cabot Circus site if the huge brands are fleeing the city. One unhappy resident said: "No more reason ever to go there after that. How they have mismanaged that place." Another local added: "The site is so badly managed long term. Bristol is really bad at good long term planning, sadly." Meanwhile an additional explained: "I don't understand what they are trying to achieve. It will never be a going out area will it." 4 4
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Apple confirms it's shutting big city centre store for good in DAYS in blow to high street shoppers
APPLE has confirmed it will close one of its city centre stores in just days. In a massive blow to the high street, the shop will serve its last customers on August 9. 1 Apple announced the two-floor Bristol store will shut after 15 years because of redevelopment plans at the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre. A store spokesperson said they have "loved" serving the local community and reassured employees that they will be offered roles elsewhere. They told Macrumours: "At Apple, we're always focused on providing an exceptional experience for all of our customers. "Due to the redevelopment plans at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, which include the closure of the section where our store is located, Apple Bristol will close on August 9, 2025. "We've loved serving the Bristol community for over 15 years, and our valued team members will continue their roles at Apple." Residents will need to head to Apple Cribbs Causeway on the outskirts of Bristol, and Apple SouthGate in Bath in future. AMBITIOUS PLANS Cabot Circus is set to transform with new shops lining Philadelphia Street. Bristol Alliance Partnership proposed to replace the shops' first floor areas with a space that will suit new, flexible workspaces and healthcare. The plans also emphasised preserving the architectural heritage of the site, while supporting "sustainable urban development". Apple's current location will be transformed into a "vibrant" public space for locals to relax in. Despite the ambitious plans, many shoppers have expressed doubt over the long term management of the area. Major card chain with 163 shops launches closing down sales ahead of shutting its doors for good One unhappy local said: "No more reason ever to go there after that. How they have mismanaged that place." Another added: "The site is so badly managed long term. Bristol is really bad at good long term planning, sadly." Meanwhile a third said: "I don't understand what they are trying to achieve. It will never be a going out area will it." Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020." Then a fourth said: "Looks like chatgpt had a good work out there…" Followed by a fifth: "Who's getting a back hander on this work that doesn't need to happen?"
Fashion Network
04-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Hammerson CEO announces retirement plan
Hammerson said on Wednesday that its CEO Rita-Rose Gagné has informed the board of her intention to step down and retire next year. She'll stay with the business for the next 12 months, 'bringing continuity while a successor is identified'. The company also said this timeframe 'will allow for a full handover and orderly transfer of her responsibilities' and that she and the leadership team 'are committed to facilitating a smooth transition and to ensuring that the delivery of Hammerson's growth strategy and operations continue at pace and without disruption'. Gagné has been with the giant retail landlord — which owns key properties such as the Bullring, Cabot Circus and Dundrum Town centre — since late 2020. Hammerson said she's 'driven a substantial turnaround, transforming and strengthening Hammerson into the largest UK-listed, pureplay owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations. The company is now well positioned to continue to deliver growth and value creation'. In fact, since she arrived, the company has sold a raft of non-core properties such as its retail parks, the Silverburn mall, Union Square, Victoria Leeds, Italie Deux in Paris, and its Bicester Village stake. But it has also taken full control of Westquay, and Brent Cross, invested in its core properties and reported a series of improving results. Robert Noel, chair of Hammerson, said: 'On behalf of the board and the Hammerson team I would like to thank Rita-Rose for her outstanding leadership and immense contribution to the business since November 2020.' Meanwhile Gagné added: 'We are successfully executing a clear growth strategy and have tremendous momentum for sustainable long-term value creation. With the business in great shape, a strong team, and significant opportunities ahead, it is an exciting time for Hammerson and the right time for me to pass on the baton.'
Fashion Network
04-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Hammerson CEO announces retirement plan
Hammerson said on Wednesday that its CEO Rita-Rose Gagné has informed the board of her intention to step down and retire next year. She'll stay with the business for the next 12 months, 'bringing continuity while a successor is identified'. The company also said this timeframe 'will allow for a full handover and orderly transfer of her responsibilities' and that she and the leadership team 'are committed to facilitating a smooth transition and to ensuring that the delivery of Hammerson's growth strategy and operations continue at pace and without disruption'. Gagné has been with the giant retail landlord — which owns key properties such as the Bullring, Cabot Circus and Dundrum Town centre — since late 2020. Hammerson said she's 'driven a substantial turnaround, transforming and strengthening Hammerson into the largest UK-listed, pureplay owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations. The company is now well positioned to continue to deliver growth and value creation'. In fact, since she arrived, the company has sold a raft of non-core properties such as its retail parks, the Silverburn mall, Union Square, Victoria Leeds, Italie Deux in Paris, and its Bicester Village stake. But it has also taken full control of Westquay, and Brent Cross, invested in its core properties and reported a series of improving results. Robert Noel, chair of Hammerson, said: 'On behalf of the board and the Hammerson team I would like to thank Rita-Rose for her outstanding leadership and immense contribution to the business since November 2020.' Meanwhile Gagné added: 'We are successfully executing a clear growth strategy and have tremendous momentum for sustainable long-term value creation. With the business in great shape, a strong team, and significant opportunities ahead, it is an exciting time for Hammerson and the right time for me to pass on the baton.'
Fashion Network
04-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Hammerson CEO announces retirement plan
Hammerson said on Wednesday that its CEO Rita-Rose Gagné has informed the board of her intention to step down and retire next year. She'll stay with the business for the next 12 months, 'bringing continuity while a successor is identified'. The company also said this timeframe 'will allow for a full handover and orderly transfer of her responsibilities' and that she and the leadership team 'are committed to facilitating a smooth transition and to ensuring that the delivery of Hammerson's growth strategy and operations continue at pace and without disruption'. Gagné has been with the giant retail landlord — which owns key properties such as the Bullring, Cabot Circus and Dundrum Town centre — since late 2020. Hammerson said she's 'driven a substantial turnaround, transforming and strengthening Hammerson into the largest UK-listed, pureplay owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations. The company is now well positioned to continue to deliver growth and value creation'. In fact, since she arrived, the company has sold a raft of non-core properties such as its retail parks, the Silverburn mall, Union Square, Victoria Leeds, Italie Deux in Paris, and its Bicester Village stake. But it has also taken full control of Westquay, and Brent Cross, invested in its core properties and reported a series of improving results. Robert Noel, chair of Hammerson, said: 'On behalf of the board and the Hammerson team I would like to thank Rita-Rose for her outstanding leadership and immense contribution to the business since November 2020.' Meanwhile Gagné added: 'We are successfully executing a clear growth strategy and have tremendous momentum for sustainable long-term value creation. With the business in great shape, a strong team, and significant opportunities ahead, it is an exciting time for Hammerson and the right time for me to pass on the baton.'
