DOZENS of shoppers queued around the block to attend the opening of a new city centre superstore.
The Range, at the Meteor Centre, off Mansfield Road, is the first of its kind in the city and has created 150 jobs.
The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Fareed Hussain, cut the ribbon at the 41,300sq ft store yesterday.
It will stock more than 65,000 products across 16 departments, including DIY, homewares, furniture and arts and crafts.
Hayley Bell, of Hucklow Court, Oakwood, said: "It's great that the store has opened because it means I now have less travelling because it's on the doorstep.
"The prices are very good and, in the run-up to Christmas, it will be very helpful to get products from."
Julie Branford, of Malvern Way, Breadsall, was one of the many shoppers eager to enter.
The 44-year-old said: "I saw the article in the Derby Telegraph and thought it sounded full of good offers.
"I'm looking forward to getting some Christmas shopping done and it seems ideal for that.
"The free jumper is also appealing and I'm looking forward to seeing their decorations."
The Mayor was impressed with the turn-out of shoppers.
He said: "The range of goods on display is enormous and there is plenty of choice.
"I'm pleased we have the superstore in Derby because it has created plenty of jobs and I want to wish them all well. It's good we have new ventures and to see people queuing up outside is brilliant."
Chris Dawson, owner of The Range, founded the company in 1989.
The one-time market trader said: "We are very pleased to have opened at Derby this morning and are pleased to invite the community down to see what we are all about."
The Derby outlet is one of seven new stores opening nationwide, which will create more than 1,000 jobs. It will bring the number of stores operated by The Range to 85.
The company also has outlets in Burton and Chesterfield. The Derby store has created a mix of part-time and full-time jobs, from store and department managers to warehouse and admin staff.
The Range moved into premises formerly occupied by Focus DIY at the Meteor Centre. The building had stood empty since the DIY chain went under in 2011.
