Where is it?
Unit L35, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 3AQ
Tel: 0161 819 2272
Website
History:
Located opposite Topshop in the Arndale, this is the second Lego store to be opened in the north, a year after the unveiling of the Liverpool store. The shop doesn't just sell Lego kits but provides an interactive experience, with engaging, welcoming staff and of course, plenty of Lego to get your hands on. The ethos of the store and of the company as a whole is to encourage children and adults alike to tap into their creative side through building models.
Who shops there?
Unsurprisingly the shop is populated mainly with younger children, who busy themselves with making as much mess as possible, in between sessions gazing up in awe of the Lego monolith that is the Pick A Brick Wall.
What is perhaps more unexpected is the number of adults in the shop, whether die-hard enthusiasts or simply passers-by. People of literally every age from infants to pensioners seem comfortable here, browsing the products and making their own models.
Staff engage with children, showing them around the store and racing their Lego cars with them, whilst still finding time to talk serious with the grown-ups about the quality of the plastic and the benefits of Lego for brain development.
What do they sell?
The shop sells all kinds of Lego products, from individual mini-figures priced at £1.99 to huge kits which cost up to £119.99. There are the basic Lego bricks (called ‘four-bys’ by Lego aficionados) but also more unusual items such as Lego mini-figure ice cube trays and special Olympic Games characters.
The main attraction is the Pick A Brick wall, which resembles at first a pick-and-mix station – some of the translucent bricks seem almost edible. You simply choose a large (£11) or small (£6) cup and fill it with as much Lego as you want. Staff are on hand to give tips on packing as many bricks as possible into them. It's also advisable to keep checking back as rare bricks in unusual colours and shapes occasionally make an appearance in the wall.
Why go there?
The main focus of the shop is the experience of visiting, and there are plenty of activities available in-store, thanks to the Build-A-Mini station and the Master Builder Bar, where you can browse and play games on the Lego website. It's easy to pass a few hours in here and difficult to feel out of place given the sheer variety of customers, and of course it's an invaluable resource for parents who want an easy day out for them and their children.
Future
The aim of Lego is to inspire new generations of builders, and to be more than just a toy, but a passion. Adults in the shop were once those children discovering it for the first time, which is what is so charming about the whole experience.
In light of this, the Lego Group will be celebrating the opening of their new Lego store in Manchester Arndale shopping centre with a three-day grand opening event on August 24-26. Families and everyone who loves Lego will be invited to a hands-on building event to create their favourite Manchester landmark in Lego bricks. The individual models will make up a giant Lego landscape which will come to life, brick-by-brick over the three-day event.
Everyone participating in the building event receives a certificate and a special discount in store. The first 300 customers to spend over £25 in store on each of the three days will also receive a special Manchester gift with purchase.
Verdict
The shop so far seems to be a huge success – Lego's enduring appeal amongst all demographics is responsible for that. Whether in need of a day out, a child's birthday present or that final window for your model skyscraper, it's worth a trip to the Lego store, if purely for the experience.
