News 2006
Pamela Anderson opens new Gateshead store
23/10/2006
- Virgin Mobile opens its first standalone store in North East
- ‘Pamela Anderson’ opens store in MetroCentre
23.10.06: Pamela Anderson was on hand this weekend to open Virgin Mobile’s new standalone store in Gateshead’s MetroCentre...well almost. Three stunning ‘Pammy’ look-a-likes cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the sleek new store to fill in for the ex-Baywatch star following her latest TV ad campaign for Virgin Mobile.
Fans crowded around to get a glimpse of the sexy ‘Pammys’ as they opened the doors of the stunning new store that is only the second store of its type in the UK. The look-a-likes, dressed in the iconic red swimsuits, posed for pictures with shoppers and even had time to help customers out with their phone queries.
The new Virgin Mobile Gateshead store is the latest store to be opened as part of Virgin Mobile’s ambitious plans to hit Britain’s high streets with its own-brand stores, offering an entirely new concept in mobile retailing. The store showcases all of Virgin Mobile’s products and services in an interactive and entertaining environment with a bold, youthful and interactive design.
Street teams spent the week previous to the opening, handing out goody bags, demonstrating the new mobile TV phone and offering advice on everything mobile to members of the public. The new Virgin Mobile store has already created a buzz around the MetroCentre with thousands of people passing through the doors in just the first two days.
Virgin Mobile is opening its next standalone store in Southend on 28th October and is planning more new stores of this kind throughout 2007. Virgin Mobile is recruiting 10 people to staff the new stores to give expert customer service and advice. Hundreds of new jobs will be created as the store expansion continues through into 2007.
Virgin Mobile already has a flagship standalone store at Lakeside and 119 specialist stores within Virgin Megastores and WHSmith, these stores-within-stores will continue to be a key part of the company’s retail presence and future plans.
The new retail strategy focuses on bringing technology to life and making it meaningful and fun. Emphasis will be put on enabling customers to `try before you buy’ and taking all of the hassle out of buying and setting up a new phone. Virgin Mobile is already known for setting benchmarks for customer service within the mobile industry and it will be taking this to a new level within its own stores. There will also be non-Virgin branded items and products associated with a mobile lifestyle on offer.
Paul Williams, Retail Director at Virgin Mobile, said: “We’ve always found combining mobile phones with music and entertainment is a perfect way to engage Virgin Mobile customers. Our new stores will not only showcase the latest and greatest phones and technology but will also celebrate Virgin’s associations with music and entertainment.
“On the back of our recent deal with ntl:Telewest the stores will also provide an excellent opportunity for the roll-out of our unique `quadruple play’ offer. We aim to provide outstanding customer service delivered in a truly different and engaging mobile lifestyle environment.”
Virgin Mobile Press Office: 0845 600 6272 or press.office@virginmobile.com
Jo Baker: 07941 233300 or jo.baker@virginmobile.com
About Virgin Mobile:
Virgin Mobile is the UK’s largest mobile virtual network operator and uses T-Mobile's network. Since its launch in November 1999, Virgin Mobile has attracted more than 4 million customers.
Virgin Mobile is part of the ntl:telewest group. The group is the first to be able to offer `quadruple play’ to customers: mobile and fixed line telephony, broadband internet and television.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virginmobile.co.uk or on the high street at approximately 5,000 outlets including Virgin Mobile Stores within Virgin Megastores and selected WHSmiths, The Carphone Warehouse, The Link, Phones 4 U, Currys.digital, Comet, Tesco, Asda, John Lewis, Argos, Woolworths, Toys R Us, Ryman, web retailer Dial-a-phone plus hundreds of independent mobile phone dealers and available via Shop Direct/Littlewoods, Grattan and Empire home shopping channels.
Virgin Mobile Pay Monthly (contract) is currently available in Virgin Mobile Stores, The Carphone Warehouse, The Link, Phones 4u, at concessions in WHSmith and from www.virginmobile.co.uk
Virgin Mobile employs approximately 1,700 staff at three sites, Trowbridge, London and Daventry, and has an outsourced customer service centre operated by approximately 200 staff in Middlesbrough.
Virgin Mobile was voted 22nd in the Best Workplaces in the UK Financial Times survey for 2006.
Virgin Mobile is offering its customers 3p per minute Virgin to Virgin voice calls in the UK until March 31st.
