Stores ready for iPhone stampede

4:54pm Thursday 8th November 2007

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STORES in Chippenham and Trowbridge are preparing for a stampede of customers as the Apple iPhone launches tomorrow.

The O2 store in Chippenham's Emery Gate and the Carphone Warehouse in The Shires, Trowbridge will both be staying open late to cope with the anticipated demand after the phone's launch at 6.02pm.

When the phone launched in America, many customers queued for five days outside the flagship Apple store in New York. Apple has added to the hype by limiting purchases to two iPhones per customer.

The handset combines a touch-screen phone with a web-browser, a camera and all the functions of Apple's popular iPod mp3 player.

In the UK, customers can only buy the phone for use with the 02 network. The handset will cost £269 and buyers must commit to an 18-month contract on a minimum tariff of £35 per month.

In Trowbridge, The Shires shopping centre will be staying open late to allow The Carphone Warehouse to trade until 8pm. The store will close from 3-6pm to prepare for the launch.

The O2 Shop in Chippenham will close at 2pm and open again at 6.02pm. They'll then remain open until 10pm. Emery Gate will be opening especially, but access will be limited to customers for the O2 store.

Store manager Mike Edwards assured those desperate to get their hands on the iPhone: "We have plenty of stock and everyone who wants one will get one."