iPhone 5 customers besieging the Apple Store, Chapelfield, Norwich eager to get their hands on the must have latest generation of the mobile phone. Photo: Steve Adams

Photo gallery: Fans queue for more than 12 hours to buy the new iPhone 5 in Norwich

Friday, September 21, 2012
10:42 AM

The wait was finally over this morning after eager Apple fans in Norwich queued for more than 12 hours to get their hands on the new iPhone 5.

A 400-strong crowd snaked around the first floor of Chapelfield from 6am, to buy the phone which went on sale in the UK from 8am.

People took part in a giant Mexican wave as staff warmed the crowds up by playing music while they waited.

Apple staff formed a guard on honour as customers went into the store to make their purchases.

Geoff Roles, 26, from Wymondham and Mark Spall, 22, from Lowestoft were first in the queue for the SIM-free phone.

iPhone 5 customers besieging the Apple Store, Chapelfield, Norwich eager to get their hands on the must have latest generation of the mobile phone. First in line Mark Spall getting a warm welcome from staff.Photo: Steve Adams

The pair started queuing at 6pm on Thursday after work.

“We had been looking forward to getting the phone for about a week. We started queuing at 6pm the night before but we didn’t think we would be first in the queue,” Mr Spall said. “We didn’t sleep last night - we did get cold.

“I queued to get the iPhone 4S when it came out but I was 16th in the queue.

“I will definitely be showing the phone off to everyone.”

Lindsey Cruickshank, Apple store leader, said: “It shows the demand for the brand and the phone. I got into work at about 5am and I love taking part in these launches. I think there will be a good queue all day.

“The number of people who have turned out is amazing - it is brilliant to see their loyalty.”

First in the queue for the contract phone was James Sadler from Thetford.

The 33-year-old plumber arrived at Chapelfield at 3am to start queuing for the phone.

“I’m going to America for three weeks and didn’t really want to wait until I got back.

“I have never owned an iPhone before but I have got every other Apple product.”

Liam Preston and his girlfriend Rosie Betts, both 21, joined the queue for the contract iPhone 5.

The couple who live in Eaton arrived at the Apple store at 7.30am.

“I promised Rosie that I would buy her breakfast,” Mr Preston said. “I am lucky that she agreed to come along. I have been looking forward to the launch since it was announced.

“Some people were queuing last night. I think it’s a bit ridiculous, I wouldn’t go that far.”

Dedicated dad, Greg Sines, who lives in Hellesdon, joined the queue to buy a phone for his son, Dale.

“I work at Aviva and have taken the day off so I can get the phone for him. I have got the 3GS so when Dale has the iPhone 5, I will have his old 4S.

“I don’t mind queuing for him, it’s what you do for your kids I have brought a book with me to pass the time.”

Also queuing to a buy a phone for her son was Marilyn Dewing from Old Catton.

“My son is a big Apple fan.

“I got up early to start queuing at 7.30am but I don’t mind at all.”

21 comments

Dave B, ever heard of the word Hypocrite? I dont need people like you defending me, I can do that myself.

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BarclayBigMouth

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
It seems each generation of I-Phone never really lives up to the media hype. Look at the mapping system now use instead of Google Maps, not exactly accurate. This is something you would have expected Apple to get right from the start.

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chebram71

Friday, September 21, 2012
Yes, of course it would - deluded afterall... Yawn

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Dave B

Friday, September 21, 2012
pot and kettle come to mind.....

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Queenie

Friday, September 21, 2012
Oh and the generalised comments about stereotyping the people queuing are even worse, you have no idea of the type of people, their careers, their background and why they were there and whilst these people are queuing for something that they are passionate about, what are you bunch doing? Sitting on a news website name calling and acting like children. You say stupid them? I say pity you....

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Dave B

Friday, September 21, 2012
Just listen to all the comments on here calling people sad gits, losers, deluded, fools etc. Laughable, you bunch should really grow up. If your intelligence was significant enough, you would understand consumer demand but clearly you dont so you resort to name calling - tells me everything I need to know about your mentality. Its called cognitive dissonance, you should all look it up

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Dave B

Friday, September 21, 2012
How do you know when someone has an iphone?........ They tell you!

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IT Man

Friday, September 21, 2012
Saaaaaaaaad! Have these losers not actually got a life? What shall I do today, spend time with friends and family, or queue up for a phone for 12 hours? Hard choice - NOT

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markt74

Friday, September 21, 2012
The staff look as deluded as the customers! (Rachel - your comments may pull on the heart strings of many and we would all do anything to help our kids but is the latest i-phone the answer to the problem?)

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Queenie

Friday, September 21, 2012
Apple fan here. Never queued, would buy online and have it delivered to my door. Passed on the iPhone 5 this year personally. But my main reason for commenting is to say how touched I was to read about the lady who queued on behalf of her agorophobic son. Technology is a tool that can make the life of someone at risk of social exclusion due to illness or disability worth living. Having suffered from agorophobia at various times in my life this mum's dedication made me feel a wave of empathy, rather than the tide of ridicule some of the miserable articles that have commented here are overwhelmed by. Good on yer, random mum. Enjoy your iPhone, son!

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Rachael Andrews

Friday, September 21, 2012
I-Diots

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chebram71

Friday, September 21, 2012
some clearly had no jobs to be in for, good to see the hard-working taxpayer is funding their benefits for them to blow it on a genital extension!

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stevejo

Friday, September 21, 2012
They like the latest phones, so they're queing for one. I don't see the problem. The people below don't share this view so feel they can criticise. I don't care for jazz but I don't see the need to slate people who queue for Jamie Cullum tickets.

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martin

Friday, September 21, 2012
Have these people got nothing else better to do? Next they'll be moaning as to how hard up they are.

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Boadicea 1959

Friday, September 21, 2012
Oh dear - I'm getting old - I wouldn't queue for 12 minutes - mind you, I'm nearly a granny and I expect I shall soon be with it again

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MrsP

Friday, September 21, 2012
I walked through at 09:10 and the sad people who desparately need lives were still queuing up, all playing with their now out-of-date, vintage, archaic and absolete Iphones.

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SteveM

Friday, September 21, 2012
“I will definitely be showing the phone off to everyone." - This sums iPhone owners up perfectly. Showing everyone is all they are worried about. Poor misguided fools.

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cnb

Friday, September 21, 2012
Yet AGAIN, a bunch of sad gits standing in line for a phone. WHY?????? It's not going anywhere.

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Ameedog

Friday, September 21, 2012
they'll be telling us next we're in a recession!!

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catalonia13

Friday, September 21, 2012
LOST......FOR....WORDS

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Horatio

Friday, September 21, 2012
Idiocy doesn't even begin to cover it. 400 seriously?? There should have been mental health professionals on hand to check these people over.

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Rob_H

Friday, September 21, 2012