Shoppers flocked to the opening of the new Morrisons store in Westbury which civic and business leaders hope will provide a boost to the local economy.

General store manger Paul Smith, mayor of Westbury Sue Ezra and long-serving employee Jeanette Hume, who worked for both Coopers and Cullens, which both previously occupied the store in Edward Street, cut the ribbon at 9am on Monday.

Cllr Ezra said: “It is a beautiful store that’s very well presented, there was a fantastic atmosphere with huge crowds waiting to see their new supermarket and the staff were very friendly and had a really positive attitude.”

Morrisons took over from Coopers supermarket in May after buying it from local businessmen, David Cooper, and undertook a three-month revamp.

The store, which employs 159 people including 70 former Coopers staff, includes Morrison’s Market Place section featuring a bakery, butchers and fishmongers.

Manager Mr Smith said: “We’ve had an amazing response from customers, and they have been a pleasure to serve. I would like to thank them and my colleagues for making the day such a success.”