Stafford's Riverside opens: Shoppers get their first look at £100m development
[gallery] The first shops in Stafford's £100m Riverside development opened their doors to the public yesterday as builders and shop staff worked to prepare other stores.
River Island and H&M have taken two units in the new shopping centre and others including Primark, Marks & Spencer and JD Sports will open over the coming weeks.
River Island was the first shop to open at 9am – although just one man arrived to see it open its doors.
He bought a white T-shirt and left about 10 minutes later having been the first person to explore the newly fitted shop.
H&M opened to more fanfare two hours later at 11am.
Staff danced down the arcade before an official H&M ribbon was cut.
Shoppers were given special wristbands to entitle them to 25 per cent off.
Stafford woman Natasha Rothwell, aged 26, and her daughter, Lily-Ella Kelly, aged six, were the first people into the H&M store.
Describing River Island, which she'd visited before she went into H&M, Natasha said: "It's amazing – it's got a little kids section so I am happy.
"It feels a bit of a pain to get to.
"There's no directions to get in but apart from that it's brilliant.
"It's more modern and new looking."
River Island manager Kayley Hurlstone said: "We don't think it is going to be that busy because the bridge is not open until the 18th.
"That goes against us.
"I would say it's twice the size.
"We have now got kidswear so we stock kidswear from mini kids – from nought to three – and big kids, which is from three to 12.
"Hopefully it will give us a head-start.
"I am hearing people are really positive about the new department."
River Island staff were given the keys to the new unit on July 26 and closed the old store on Market Square for the final time last Saturday.
Marks & Spencer will open on August 18.
