IT MAY not have been akin to the hysterical madness of Black Friday but shoppers still rushed through the doors at Grimsby's newest department store.
The Range, owned by billionaire Chris Dawson, spans 16 departments offering bargain deals across its extensive product portfolio.
Many shoppers even took the trouble to queue outside the Victoria Street store in the cold before the ribbon was cut early yesterday morning in a ceremony attend by the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire councillor Alex Baxter.
There is an in-house cafe, called Dee Dee's, alongside sections like arts and crafts and home decorations, as well as an onsite garden centre.
The store has created between 70 and 80 jobs drafted from the area.
An emotional Mr Dawson said: "Opening this place is very special to me, we've been trying to get into Grimsby for a while – it means a lot coming here.
"The council has been great and has welcomed investment in the area, which makes a big difference and I would like to thank all the people who have worked day and night to get this store going.
"What you're getting here is affordable and quality products. Not everyone is earning vast sums of money and you don't have to be rich to shop here."
First through the doors were Holton-le-Clay couple Thomas Smith and Rachel Jacombe who queued from 3am to get a peek at the new store.
Thomas, 23, said: "It's a well laid out shop with a good atmosphere – lots of things will catch your eye.
"I got a few bits for my car and my girlfriend picked up some toys for the dog. There is a lot in the store."
Someone who made sure she was early to the store's opening was Grimsby mother Melissa Love.
The 31-year-old said: "I often travel to the Scunthorpe store so it's great now having The Range on our doorstep. It's been great coming here and having a look around.
"I love the homeware products, they're really good quality at reasonable prices."
Deputy store manager Aaron Dolphin saluted the effort of his workforce, who have kitted out the shop with all its stock in just two weeks.
He said: "Our aim is to give 100 per cent customer service to all our shoppers.
"We've got 16 departments here and that makes us really unique. There is also the dedicated Christmas area as we're still wanting to bring the festive period to Grimsby.
"The range of our products and the value for money is superb and now customers can save petrol money as they don't have to drive elsewhere to find their nearest branch.
"You'll find that we even stock products that you won't see elsewhere, exclusives that may only be sold online"
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