The New Pokemon Shop in London
The Pokemon franchise has become a cult favourite over the past two decades, with countless people falling in love with its colourful world and characters. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or are looking for some new toys to play with, you’ll find plenty of Pokemon merchandise at Selfridges!
London has a long history of hosting temporary Pokemon-branded pop-up stores, which typically serve as PokeStops and sell a variety of exclusive Pokemon-related products. One such store appeared in 2019 to celebrate the launch of Pokemon Sword and Shield on Nintendo Switch, while a second shop popped up briefly last August during the Pokemon World Championships in London.
Those stores can prove to be extremely busy, and in the case of the first London-themed Pokemon Center that opened ahead of Pokemon Sword and Shield’s launch in 2019, the queues often stretched around the block. The Pokemon Company responded to the chaos by offering time slot reservations through a virtual queuing system, but the system was apparently overloaded during the event’s run, and many visitors waited hours for their chance to get inside.
This year’s pop-up Pokemon Center will open in conjunction with the 2023 Pokemon European International Championships, which will take place at ExCeL London from April 14 to April 16. In addition to exclusive merch, photo opportunities and themed areas, fans can expect a range of activities.
The pop-up Pokemon Center will also feature a demo area where trainers can try out Pokemon Sword and Shield before pre-ordering them. However, as with previous Pokemon Centers, those who wish to visit will need to reserve a timeslot in advance via the Pokemon Company’s website.
So, if you want to check out this Pokemon Centre while you’re in town for the EUIC, book your time slot now!
How to Get There:
The Pokemon Center will be located in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, which is easily accessible by bus and train. The nearest tube stations are White City, St Mary Axe, and Queensway, but you can also catch a taxi or UBER to the shopping mall.
During the opening weekend, there will be a series of activities planned for all ages, including Pokemon Sword and Shield demos and live events. These will be held in an upstairs room and visitors will need a wristband to access them.
Tickets are available for £12 (plus the £2 booking fee) at the door, or members of the Pokémon UK loyalty scheme can buy them for £5. There’s also a selection of gift cards available, so you can pick up a little something special for yourself or your friend.
The Centre will also have a selection of merch for sale, including Pikachu mugs and other collectibles to keep you in touch with your favorite Pokemon. There’s also a selection of plush toy Pokemon, so you can re-create your favorite battles or just give your house a bit of an oomph boost with the help of these cute creatures!
There will also be a selection of clothing for men and women, as well as accessories for the whole family. If you’re after some snazzy Galar hoodies, there are also some cool Pokemon Sword and Shield-themed bags to choose from. Pokemon Shop London