Customers flock to new superstore opening in Largs town centre

Scores of shoppers turned up and queued in the bitterly cold conditions with the hope of being among the lucky customers to win a £50 voucher to spend.

The other premises include the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Ponden Home Interiors and Bonmarché.

A ribbon cutting took place to usher in the new shopping era for the former M&Co building, which has been shut for 18 months but now has a new lease of life.

A video of the official opening attracted 10,000 hits to the Largs News Facebook site within hours of being posted.

Sharon Lamb, retail director for Peacocks, said: "We trade in quite a few locations around Scotland and Largs was always a town that we wanted to come to.

"We were keen to give a family offer to the whole of Largs and that is why we brought in Bonmarché, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home Interiors, which all opened today.

"The plan is to trade and we have helped local employment with the teams appointed to the town and we are really thrilled, across all the three brands, to be here.

"We offer Largs that full clothing and family and whole range, and it is for all ages across all the brands. From our perspective it is a long term venture and a long term partnership.

"We were really impressed with the great turnout.

"We are largely based within big cities so it is great to come to the Clyde Coast."

A warm welcome was assured for customers this morning with Sharon Brown greeting customers (Image: Newsquest)

Sharon Brown, regional manager for Bonmarché, said: "We have a lucky dip we have been running throughout the day and customers can win 20 per cent and 15 per cent off and free gift cards. We wanted to create a nice positive message with our 'Hello Largs' greeting signs."

Mark Millar, who is the manager of Peacock's and cut the opening ribbon for the store opening, said: "It is good news for Largs as shoppers told us that everyone was heartbroken at the closure of M&Co, so we are so glad that we have been able to brighten up the Main Street with new shops offering a variety.

"The cutting of the ribbon was very exciting, and I couldn't believe we'd have such a big crowd and it is great that there is a bit of excitement in the town and it was really nice to open the doors to a queue."

It was confirmed to the News that the car park behind the premises was also taken over by the superstore as part of the sale, and while it is free to park for the time being, there are plans for it to be a fee paying car park in future.