World’s biggest Primark suffers power cut during grand opening

The grand opening of the world's biggest Primark in Birmingham suffered a hitch when all the lights and escalators stopped working because of a powercut.

The giant superstore was packed with thousands of shoppers when the technical glitch caused confusion for vistors and caused the music to stop.

Mums were seen dragging prams their prams down one of the escalators. And then some shoppers were briefly left in darkness.

The disruption didn't deter shoppers though who continued to pile into the store hunting for bargains.

Mia McFarlane, 22, a beautician from Handsworth, Birmingham, said: "The lights went off for about five minutes and DJ went silent.

"It was quite weird as it this big party atmosphere suddenly stopped and people wondered what was going on.

"People were stuck with pushchairs on the elevators and people had to help some mums up to the upper floors.

"It didn't last too long though and everybody was back shopping.

"Primark is chaotic at the best of times but this had just been crazy. It is one hell of a shop though – its more like a department store."

Thousands of bargain hunters have descended on the city centre today to get a first look at the store.

Shoppers queued from 7am ahead of the eagerly anticipated unveiling.

Around 5,000 eager customers flocked to the city's High Street and swarmed into the shop when it officially opened its doors at 10am.

Some had travelled from as far as Cardiff and Sunderland in search of bargains at the cut-price retailer.

The five floor building boasts 160,000 sq ft of retail space and comes complete with two hairdressers, two cafes and a Disney-themed restaurant.

Other in-store experiences include a pizza restaurant, a barbers, a beauty bar and even a Hogwarts Wizarding World for Harry Potter fans.

Store bosses laid on performances from local dance and music groups to keep shoppers entertained as they browsed the shelves.

Hundreds of people could be seen queuing inside to get a seat at the Mickey and Minnie Mouse themed bistro which was serving Disney themed pancakes.

Other customers flocked in their droves to a Custom Lab where bespoke and personalised T-shirts can be printed for as little as £10.

One of the first in line was Laura Jackson, 25, a freight forwarder, from Tamworth, Staffs, who said: "I got here at 7.30am this morning and there was already people here.


"It is nice to see the building all developed and restored and I'm looking forward to picking up some bargains.

"I would never get to a store this early unless it was a Disney store opening, but this is just as good as they have a huge Disney range inside."

Tammy Holgate, 21, a student from Sunderland, added: "I travelled down on a five hour train just to come here. I love Primark and this is just on another level.

"I'm going to make a day of it. I love the Friends and Disney products and it so affordable.

"It's huge as well, its like a shopping centre in itself. I've never seen anything like it."

Naomi Morgan, 28, a social work student from Selly Oak, Birmingham, said: "I regularly go to store openings because they are so much fun.


"It is nice that us Brummies have a flagship store because Birmingham always seems to be a year behind London."

Yvette Byrnes 56, a seamstress from Shirley, West Mids, said: "This is the first time we have been to an opening like this.

"I have only come to get some socks."

Her daughter-in-law Helen Spindler, 37, added: "We have left our husbands in bed and unsurprisingly they said they would leave us to it."

John Jameson, 39, of Wolverhampton, said: "Its complete madness. I wish I'd left it a couple of days because its chaotic at the moment.

"There's huge queues for the restaurant and t-shirt printing, it looks like the whole city is here."

Mum-of-three Sarah Joines, 50, of Tamworth, a supervisor at Drayton Manor Theme Park, said: "I have come with my three daughters today as a family outing.

"We are mainly here for Harry Potter and the Disney collection.


"They have the morning off college so we decided to come here. The building is amazing and I used to shop at the Pavilions."

Zahid Zafeer, 40, a shop assistant, added: "I got here about 7.45am. It is a fabulous building.

"I used to work in the old store so I came today because I wanted to see what it was like.

"I worked in the old store for 13 years and I was there for the opening of that as well."

Elizabeth Amaway, 29, a carer from West Bromwich, West Mids, added: "I have just come here before work.

"I have already spotted a bright green top through the window that I have my eye on.

"It is a fabulous building and it is good for us in Birmingham as we need more things like these big stores here."

Mebs Sameja, 49, a manager at a Primark store in Coventry said: "It is a phenomenal building – it is pleasingly eye-watering

"Primark has always been popular in Birmingham and it is so deserving for the city."


The retailer says it wants to combat the decline of the high street, as highlighted by the demise of Debenham this week.

The store is set to employ more than 1,000 people at the new store, the biggest one of its 365 outlets across Europe and the United States

It is 5,000 square feet bigger than the previous biggest Primark in Manchester.

Primark's Retail Director for the UK & Northern Europe, Simon Gibbs said: "Primark is proud to be a part of the fabric of Birmingham.

"We've been in this great city since 2002 and have witnessed its incredible transformation, including the opening of the Bullring in 2003 and Grand Central in 2015.

"The opening of Birmingham High Street gives us the opportunity to bring our flagship product range and the very best of Primark to our customers in this vibrant and diverse city, which is something we have wanted to do for many years."

Primark's Director of New Business Development, Tim Kelly said: "Our customers can expect a great experience at Primark Birmingham High Street.

"They can spend time with friends and family, eat great food, recharge and have fun, and find everything under one roof including Fashion, Beauty and Homewear – all at an amazing price.

"We're proud to bring this great store and everything it has to offer, to Birmingham."

Read More

World's biggest Primark opens in Birmingham

  • First photos revealed
  • Disney cafe inside
  • What's inside?
  • News first announced

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