And, along with the opening of Primark in November and the forthcoming Summer Row development, shopping bosses hope it will help attract thousands of new shoppers.

Mothers and daughters, married couples and teenagers all flocked to the store before 9am today to get their hands on the latest trends. Carol Hazle, ofSt Giles Crescent, Eastfield, said: “I’ve always liked the clothes in New Look and this store is fantastic. It is much bigger and better than the old store.”

The 45-year-old added: “I sometimes go to New Look with my daughter and we both manage to get outfits. There is something to suit all tastes, age ranges and sizes.”Looking just right on a New Look budget

Express & Star Reporter VICTORIA NASH says it’s great to look stylish on a shoestring – here is her take on the new New Look fashion range:

The latest hot trends, funky footwear and dazzling accessories, all at rock bottom prices – how many more reasons do you need to love New Look?

Fashion-conscious shoppers have been waiting for Wolverhampton’s new store to open so they no longer have to make a trip to Dudley’s Merry Hill Centre to get their hands on the hottest catwalk styles but with high street price tags.

Eager to get the first glimpse of the trends on offer, I took an exclusive look inside. When the shutters opened to the massive store I was greeted by a colourful jungle of clothes, shoes and accessories.

The 24,000 sq ft store, created in 13 units in the heart of the Mander Centre, is brimming with the latest trends for women, men and teenagers. And with such a massive choice on offer I couldn’t decide whether to run or head straight to the masses of shoes lined up in neat rows.

Busy staff, who were scurrying around making last-minute preparations for the big opening, picked out three contrasting outfits for me to try on.

I couldn’t fail to make an impression with the first choice – a bold knee-length leopard print coat, at £65, with skin-tight jeans, £30, and bright red accessories.

It certainly isn’t an outfit you could wear every day but there’s no doubt it would make you stand out in any crowd. A rock-chick combination was the second choice, made up with a backless purple T-shirt, a belt-sized black skirt and this season’s must-have pixie ankle boots.

The oufit is perfect for any night out and costs under £80 for the entire package, including the four chunky bangles which really set off the combination.

For a more conservative look, workers chose me a pretty floral buttoned blouse with jeans, £23, and a leather coat, £45, set off perfectly with beige high heels.

The huge store is set to be a haven for shopaholics who can spend hours browsing through the aisles to get their hands on the latest hot trends.

And a satisfying splurge isn’t likely to blow too much of your clothes budget either.

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