THE wait is finally over for Trowbridge residents as a new M&S Foodhall opened its doors to the feverishly excited public on Wednesday.

Hundreds queued outside the 8,000sq ft store in Cradle Bridge Retail Park, eagerly waiting for a chance to start the first of many shopping trips there.

And at 10am, the team of 50 staff, 40 of which went to residents in the local area, cut the ribbon to declare that the Foodhall was officially open for business, much to the delight of the customers, who were greeted with a glass of champagne or orange juice upon entering.

Betty Ruck, of Raleigh Court, said: “This should be fantastic. I love M&S. The food is excellent. The town has needed this for a long time. I was thinking about camping over night to get to the front of the queue but it rained quite a lot, so instead I went for an hour before it opened and I made it to the front of the queue.”

Malcolm Neat, of Westfield Road, added: “I think it is about time we had something decent in Trowbridge. It is good to have this but these shops are taking people away from the centre. Trowbridge is like a donut, everything happens on the outside but nothing in the middle.”

Valerie Brookfield, of Bellefield Crescent, said: “I am thrilled that I can go to an M&S. Trowbridge is the county town and it needs quality like this.”

Eileen Symmonds, of Paxcroft Mead, said: “It is quite exciting. It will be good for the town and hopefully that will bring others like it here as well.”

The store, in County Way, has a 24-seat cafe, will offer 125 free parking spaces and its opening hours are from 8am-8pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm on Sundays.

Mayor Deborah Halik added: “I am delighted that this is now open. I think it will be a real asset for the town and it should appeal to a lot of people. Hopefully this can pave the way for other businesses to come to the town. Giving local people jobs is so important and that is exactly what M&S have done which is great.

Store manager Phoebe Bullock added: “I am delighted with the response and enthusiasm that the hundreds who have turned out have shown. People have been looking forward to this day for a long time and I am happy that we delivered that promise.

“We sourced many of these workers from the local job centre back in December. This is a very exciting time for us all.”