Shoppers swarm to Primark for grand Derby opening (with video)
With satisfied smiles, and bags and bags of bargains, Primark fans showed their true appreciation yesterday.
As the store celebrated its return to Derby, thousands of shoppers splashed their cash and snapped up rails of its cut-price clothing.
Gaggles of girls queued outside waiting for the bigger, brighter store to reveal its new looks.
And when the doors finally opened, dedicated followers of fashion – young and old – rushed inside.
“I've been saving up for weeks,” laughed 16-year-old Amy Wicke, from Allestree, who turned up at 6.30am.
“I wanted to be the first in the line and I was. My dad brought me into town on his way to work. Thanks dad.”
Amy revealed she had £30 to spend and while she waited for the store to open she said she made a mental shopping list of the things she wanted to buy.
“I had to buy this dress,” she said, rummaging for it in her shopping basket. “I'm here with my two friends and we've all got it. It is going to be interesting but at least we'll be able to wear them together,” she laughed.
“I didn't know how much it was. I saw it hanging up while I was waiting outside. I want a big belt to wear with it too.”
Excited to see Derby's Primark reopening after almost three years, Amy and her pals, Fran Walker, 16, and Tilly Darby, 16, were desperate to shop. They could not hide their excitement. When the doors opened, they squealed with delight and ran inside.
“I've got £100 to spend,” said Tilly. “I'm going to Spain soon and I need everything. I want swim wear, tops, skirts and dresses. I plan to treat myself. Big time. I want shoes, jewellery and a new bag.
“I know that I'll have enough money. That's why Primark is so great.”
Laura McLoughlin, 60, of Derby, was equally pleased to see the shop back in Derby.
“I started to queue early,” she said. “Primark isn't just about young people, you know. I'm here for a bargain too.”
Twenty-one year-old William Lane, of Dean Street, Derby, looked totally at ease – despite the fact that he was surrounded by women. He was there to buy a few things and said he had £30 to spend.
“I love Primark,” he said. “I'm not afraid to say it. I might be a bloke but I love this shop. I'm here with my girlfriend, Natalie. We're both going to have a good look round. It's quite exciting actually. I want a couple of tops and stuff.
“I've missed Primark. Now it's back. I'm glad.”
Jenny Tristram persuaded her husband, Richard, and their three children, Maddie, Harry and Jake, to come with her to Primark.
She passed her driving theory test and wanted to celebrate by splashing out on a few things at the new Corn Market store.
“Look,” she said. “I've spent £64 and I've got two bags full. I've bought tops for the kids, a jacket for Maddie and a couple of tops for Richard.
“I bought some trousers and a top for me too. And I got some nightwear. I love Primark. It was such a treat to look round.
“I went all the way to Nottingham once so I could go to Primark and I hated it. This store is fantastic. It's brilliant. Boy, have I missed it.”
The new store gave shoppers a treat when it opened a day earlier than planned. Staff worked round the clock to get everything ready ahead of schedule.
During his opening speech, sales director Ben Mansfield thanked the team.
“We opened a day early as staff have worked so hard,” he said. “They are an asset.”
After he talked about Derby's new 44,000sq ft store, which is now one of the biggest in the UK, and shared some of Primark's history, including the fact that Derby was the location for Primark's first UK outlet, he went back to thanking his staff.
“I want to thank everyone,” he said. “But I must mention Sue Rook. She's been with us right from the start. She worked at Primark when it was in Babington Lane. That was 32 years ago.”
Like Sue, Elaine Dunnicliffe has seen Primark change over the years. On September 26, 1974, she was one of the first shoppers to walk through its doors when it opened for the first time in Derby.
“I was delighted to be invited to this opening,” she said. “It's marvellous. There was about six of us who all rushed into the shop when it opened on Babington Lane.
“It's great to see this new shop. It's marvellous. I've had a really good look round.”
A team of 300 staff have been employed to work in the new impressive store.
The ground floor is taken up by womenswear, and there is lots of choice. Dresses cost as little at £10, jackets are around £17 and scarves are £3.
On the first floor, black mannequins show off Primark's huge range of lingerie. The area is decorated with a striking black and white flock wallpaper. Menswear is there too. You can pick up a trouser suit for as little as £30, while ties cost from £4.
Above that is the home furnishings department, which is bursting with colourful cushions, throws and duvet covers. Children's clothes are also on this floor and prices are cheap. T-shirts are as little as £1 and there's some cute stuff for both girls and boys.
Former employee Bernie Potter, from Derby, stopped working for Primark 10 years ago but wanted to see the new store – and her best friend, Sue Rook.
“Sue's still here,” she smiled. “I've brought her a bunch of flowers. I'm going to find her and give them to her. I love the shop. It's the best one I've ever visited. It's amazing. It's nice to see it on the day it opens.”
Shopaholic Alex Seddon said she was Primark's biggest fan. Her basket was bursting with clothes and she was queuing up to try them on for size.
“I've come from Ashbourne,” she said excitedly. “I'll be here for hours. I'm planning to make a day of it. I've got loads of stuff to try on. I love it all.
“I've got £60 to spend. I've been to London to see its Primark but this one is fantastic. I'm so happy.”
Alex's friend, Fiona Thornton, was equally excited to be there. She had stacks to try on and was hoping that everything fits.
“It's brilliant. I love everything.”
A cute pair of high heels, a pair of white pumps and two T-shirts are being snapped up by student Sarah Huddlestone, of Derby.
She's just invested £39 in her new wardrobe and she's delighted with her buys.
“I also bought a necklace, four belts and a white blouse,” she said. “It's great in here. I've had a good look round and it's really impressive.”
Auxiliary nurse Serena Cope is another happy Primark customer. The 21-year-old, from Ilkeston, bought a beautiful purple dress for a party to which she's been invited on Saturday night.
“It's quite a special event,” she said. “It's a 21st. Now I've got something lovely to wear, I'm going to have a great time. It only cost me £12.”
Familiar faces from the crowds of people who waited for Primark to open its doors are now enjoying another queue – this time they are inside at the tills.
Friends Amy, Fran and Tilly – Primark's first official shoppers – are preparing to pay for their stuff. They've got bags of it.
“We didn't all get the same dresses in the end,” shrieked Fran. “We changed our minds at the last minute. I got a lovely green one instead,” she beamed.
A Primark spokesman said: “We were pleased to have seen such a positive reaction from the people of Derby to the opening of the new Primark store.
“Everyone involved with the store is delighted with the number of shoppers who have been attracted to the store. We are confident that our customers will continue to enjoy the shopping experience for a long while to come.”
shop til you drop: Above, Tilly Darby, Amy Wicke and Fran Walker, all 16, were first in the queue. Left, Fran looks at a dress in the store.
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