Apple confirms it will shut huge city centre store forever in blow to high street shoppers
APPLE has confirmed it will shut a huge city centre store forever, as the area is set to change dramatically.
Shoppers complain there will be “no reason” to visit the place again if redevelopment plans go ahead.
Apple has revealed it will permanently close its Bristol branch ahead of Quaker Friars redevelopment plans.
The store will close on August 9 but a replacement is yet to be revealed.
Artist impressions show the future of Cabot Circus with the shops along Philadelphia Street to become a “multilevel arrangement of uses”.
It will comprise of retail, health, workplace and “cultural experiences” to “ensure a safe and animated environment throughout the day and night”.
A planning application submitted by the Bristol Alliance Partnership proposed to replace the shops’ first floor areas “with a space that will suit new, flexible, future-proof uses, such as flexible workspaces and healthcare”.
The plan also emphasises the “preservation of architectural heritage, fostering diversity, happiness and resilience, and enhancing the quality of life through sustainable urban development”.
Apple’s current location will soon be “transformed into a vibrant public realm environment, with ‘urban rooms’ for “rest, play and reflection”.
The retrofitting of the buildings is a part of this “increasing vibrancy and variety to the activity on the street”.
Planners hope Quakers Square will become a “a welcoming, intergenerational public space at the heart of Quakers Friars.
Serving as a “focal point for the community and enriching the city centre with diverse event experiences, while honouring the building’s heritage setting”.
But shoppers aren’t so sure.
One person said: “No more reason ever to go there after that. How they have mismanaged that place.”
Followed by a second: “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.”
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?”
Apple has confirmed it’ll close its Bristol branch on August 9 due to the redevelopment plans.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Cabot Circus has also responded, confirming Apple’s closure while outlining its “exciting plans”.
A spokesperson added: “We have exciting plans for Quakers Friars, combining investment in more green spaces and a vibrant cultural quarter alongside investment in the surrounding retail and commercial buildings.
“Meanwhile, our focus is on a very busy year at Cabot Circus, with M&S launching a new flagship store and ODEON opening a major new complex.
“Together with recent leisure and retailer openings, and alongside our proud ongoing support for community and arts events, we’re delivering on our plans to make the area a buzzing destination day and night in the heart of Bristol.”
UK’s first ‘Asda superstore town centre’
NEIGHBOURS of the UK's first 'Asda superstore town centre' say it'll turn their area into a soulless clone of central London - and they're fearful of losing their jobs.
Asda has partnered with housebuilders Barratt Redrow to transform a borough in West London; however, they are facing opposition from both locals and the police.
Plans include building five tower blocks, 35 storeys high, to fit 1,500 homes and house 4,000 residents.
Slap bang in the centre, will be a 60,000 square foot superstore, decorated with greenery to replicate a leafy community hub.
Tom Marshal has lived in the area with his family for many years.
He said: “When I was younger, I remember people calling Park Royal the Canary Wharf of West London.
“Now, I’ve been to Canary Wharf, and I’ve got nothing against it, but there’s not much of a community there.
“If they’re [Asda] trying to make this place the next Canary Wharf, there will be no community here either.
Tower blocks aren’t the answer to a better community, Tom explained.
Other locals agree with Tom that the area will lose its character with the new development.
Maria Thompson, visiting the local hospital with her daughter Aisha, doesn’t believe housing should be placed on top of superstores.
She explained how a similar structure has been built in Harrow.
Maria said: “It also looks stupid and silly and really brings down the area, like it has done in Harrow.”
She also voiced her concerns in regard to potential crime increases.
Kids living in the flats could even take advantage of back entrances to the store.
Maria explained how she’s seen youths steal from a Morrisons branch in Harrow with a similar setup.
They’d nip in through the back entrance then run back upstairs to their flats.
Although the majority of locals fear for overcrowding, for one local business, Asda’s plans will mean they’ll have to close down.
The owner of Hand Car Wash, who wished to remain anonymous, has been based in Asda’s car park since 2008.
He heard about the development plans through a neighbour.
He said: “We’re going to be closed down if they build and all our people will be removed. I have more than 11 people working here and myself also.”
“We will be no business, we will be only flats. This is not business. It’s business for them, but not for us.”
It comes as the Metropolitan Police have threatened to block Asda’s proposed “town centre” amid concerns over public safety.
In a letter to the OPDC, Jonathan Boulton from the Met said: “Without the necessary contribution the development will be unacceptable in planning terms and permission should not be granted.
“The lack of capacity in existing infrastructure to accommodate the population growth and associated demands occasioned by the development means that it is necessary for the developer of the site to provide a contribution so the situation might be remedied.
“Without the necessary contribution to meet police needs there is a formal objection to the development on sustainability grounds and because the development is unacceptable without the necessary contribution.”