Apple Retail

Apple Lakeside Reopens Today

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12 Sep 2026 • 09:00

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Apple's only store in Essex, England, reopens today following an early closure on Thursday and a full-store closure on Friday for renovations.

The Thurrock store, near London, opened on the 20th October 2007, ahead of the original iPhone's launch in the UK the following month. Apple Lakeside arrived just in time for the release of OS X Leopard on the 26th October 2007, which introduced Time Machine, Quick Look and stacks on desktop.

In 2007, Apple Retail was particularly important for software releases, as customers had to purchase a physical copy of macOS (then OS X) to install it on their Mac.

The overhauled Apple Lakeside opens today, Saturday, 12th September 2026 at 9am, almost 19 years later. This time, the opening comes just in time for iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12 and AirPods 5 which become available in stores next week. Additionally, macOS 27 Golden Gate arrives on Monday - though the retail store is not required.

What's new with Apple Lakeside?

Online shoppers will be able to collect their apple.com orders from a dedicated Apple Pickup point in the new store, and Apple Lakeside will have the staples of Apple Retail:

Genius Bar
Today at Apple
New Experience Room

Accessibility improvements are also being made to the store, with varied height tables and seating, assisted listening system and more wheelchair space.

The redesign has also used sustainable materials, according to Apple.