Best Buy Opens in Hedge End, Friday 28 May

There was a party atmosphere as the crowds waited for the Hedge End Best Buy superstore to open today, Friday 28 May – and at 10.00am the ribbon was cut, the store declared open and In ‘Best Buy’ tradition staff lined the main aisle to welcome with applause the first customers to their new store.

Tony Jewell from Gosport was first through the doors. Having been waiting since 7.30pm last night, he left the store the proud owner of a £550 Samsung 40” TV that was down to £400.

Blueshirt Katie Whettingstel, product specialist in media and gaming, said, “This is an amazing experience, and it’s really great to have been involved with the opening of the store here in Hedge End from the start.”

Today’s also the first day the Apple iPad is available in the UK and Hedge Ender Louisa Ingram was in store to take a look.

She commented, “I had an iPod, but I’ve given that to my husband so I’m looking go buy an iPad.”

On having a Best Buy here she said, “It’s brilliant. It will bring many more people into Hedge End and it means this building is no longer empty, which wasn’t good for the town.”

Best Buy has taken over and refurbished the old Courts building which had stood empty since the furniture retailer closed its stores five years ago.

The superstore is light and airy, and the staff seem friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable – that was my first impression.

But what do other people in Hedge End think?

If you were among the first customers today, what was your experience?

Or are you intending to shop there later in the day, or during the weekend?

The store is obviously a great draw for Hedge End, certainly today as at 10.30am with a 45 minute wait for those still in the queue outside the store cars had begun queueing around the block.

After all the hype and with Best Buy Hedge End now finally open, Hedgeendpeople would love to hear your views!

For details of store opening times today and over the Bank Holiday weekend, see yesterday’s Hedgeendpeople story, ‘Grand Opening of Electronics Retailer Best Buy Superstore in Hedge End, Friday 28 May’.