The countdown is on for the opening of the refurbished Apple Store... and the Evening Times has been given a first look round.

The Buchanan Street shop closed at the beginning of this year as work was undertaken to make over the retail space.


Lengthy queues are expected on August 27 in advance of the grand unveiling at 9am.

And the shop is no stranger to dealing with queueing fans - hundreds have previously lined up, or even camped overnight, for the launch of upgrades to popular products such as iPhones.

Our pictures show the store's new layout and what Apple's faithful customers can expect when the doors open on Saturday.

First opened nine years ago, the store has served around 9,000,000 customers.

Audrey Duff, Store Leader for Apple Buchanan Street, said: "We’re thrilled and humbled by the support Apple Buchanan Street has received over the past nine years, where we have served nearly 9,000,000 customers.

"We are really excited to be opening our new look store this Saturday offering customers a place to interact, learn, experience and get support from our staff and from each other for this thriving hub of creativity, innovation and enterprise, here in Glasgow." 

The building, which was first opened in the 1940s as the Western Club, has undergone an upgrade to feature more open space.

Buchanan Street's Apple Store will have more than 90 connected products for customers to explore hands-on.

Some 120 staff members, who speak 14 languages, will be on hand to support customers with free daily workshops, special events and a year-round children's programme.

The shop hosts Youth Workshops, Field Trips and Apple Summer Camp for those ages eight to 12.

Bosses say the revamp has brought new features such as The Avenue, inspired by the window displays along a boulevard that change with the season. 

Avenue walls are interactive themed “windows” where Apple’s products and services come to life, from music, to creativity, apps, photography and more. 

It has new Creative Pros - Apple experts in creative arts who offer advice and expertise at each of the displays.

Downstairs, The Boardroom is where the store’s Business Team offers hands-on advice and training to entrepreneurs, developers and other small and medium business customers.

And The Forum is a place for learning and entertainment. 

Apple has 38 stores in the UK, 4 in Scotland, 2 in Glasgow and 485 world wide.