Particularly impressed by the cleanliness, and friendliness of staff, customers who live nearby the complex were the happiest to see it open. 

Louise Mallinson and Denis Campbell live close by.

Mr Campbell said they were delighted to have the convenience of a “Coles around the corner”.

“We were regular shoppers at Bi-Lo and have had to shop elsewhere while the new store was being developed,” he said. 

“But we won’t look back now.”

Mr Campbell and Ms Mallinson agreed the store was something the area had needed.

“Southgate had always been here and it was easy,” Ms Mallinson said.

“It’s good that it’s come back and created more jobs.”

Both agreed it was nice to see something new in the area. 

“Southgate had reached its expiry to a point. 

“Having something so new and so well-presented is really nice,” Ms Mallinson said. 

Laura Aitken, who was busily filling her trolley, said while the store was a bit overwhelming, the product range on offer was fantastic.

“It seems a lot bigger than the other stores,” she said. 

Jacki Kean, another shopper, said she was interested to see the “different things” the store had on offer. 

“The clothing and the butchery and in-store bakery, things that they have at other stores, but I’m more interested in how they have laid them out,” she said. 

Mrs Kean said the opening would be “great for locals”. 

“They’ve waited a long time for it so it will be good for them to now be able to support it,” she said. 

About half an hour after the opening yesterday, more than 300 people had already entered the store.