Watch: Shoppers' delight as The Range opens giant new store in Wolverhampton
Home and garden retailer The Range opened its new giant store in Wolverhampton today in what was called 'an investment in the city'.
Wolverhampton mayor Craig Collingswood cut the ribbon on the store at 9am on Friday (December 19) before shoppers - many of whom had queued since 8am - were let through the front doors.
Mascot Mr Range welcomed them in and the first 50 shoppers were given goody bags, with giveaways and discounts promised all day.
The store, at St John's Retail Park, has taken over the vacant Homebase and Next units, although Homebase is now incorporated within The Range.
Keith Phillips, national sales manager for The Range, said they saw the new branch as a 'flagship store'.
He said: "We have a presence in Willenhall which many people will be familiar with but this has been a big investment in the city centre in terms of bringing shoppers in and creating jobs.
"It is a very big store and there is everything people need for home and garden and the run-up to Christmas.
"We started converting the units in September so it has been a quick turnaround including recruiting around 100, for many of whom it is their first job.
"I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work preparing for the opening and we know the Wolverhampton store will be a big success."
Shoppers were quick to get around the store and get their hands on bargains. Julia Stevenson from Bilston said she was already familiar with The Range having previously shopped at the Willenhall store on the Longacres Industrial Estate.
She said: "This looks great and has opened at a very convenient time just ahead of Christmas. I used to use Homebase as well for garden things so it is nice to see it has been incorporated into the new store."
David Rees from Wolverhampton said he intended to do the rest of his Christmas shopping on the first day of the new store opening, saying: "There are plenty of ideas and items people may not have thought of, plenty of space to walk around and hopefully some Christmas bargains as well."
Nevaeha Rose has started as a staff member at the new store, but had taken the opportunity to do some shopping with her mother Asherah.
Nevaeha said: "I have enjoyed the buzz of getting ready for the store to open and it is a nice job for me as the hours are flexible and I am still at college.
Asherah said: "This is a good opportunity for a lot of new staff here and I love the store, we together are going to do a diamond art canvas set on Christmas Day which was on sale at half price so it has been a good day all round."
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