Shoppers in Chichester were eager to see inside the new Boots store which opened in North Street yesterday.
Boots had been looking to relocate its two smaller East Street shops into one larger flagship store for seven years.
Manager Stuart Brookes said the new 12,000sqm 'megastore', which is on the former Woolworths site, would provide customers with an 'all-round improved service' including a larger dispensing service as well as a wider range of beauty and lifestyle products.
He said: "This is a really exciting time for us at Boots, our employees and our customers in Chichester. We had been looking at the Woolworths site for some time before the store closed because our two East Street branches were just confusing customers and there wasn't enough space inside the shops.
"This was the ideal time for us make the move, in the run-up to Christmas. Hopefully we'll get lots of people through the doors."
The new store was officially opened at 8am yesterday by Boots retail and divisional directors and the first 100 shoppers who spent money were given goodie bags.
The East Street stores closed their doors for good on Tuesday evening and there will now be a two-week de-stocking period before the premises will be available to new owners.
All staff have transferred to the new store from the East Street branches and ten new members of staff have been employed.
Mr Brooks added: "The large store means we can offer everything under one roof and sell things we never had space for before, including having cosmetics sold on premium brand counters. The aisles are wider and easier to move around, particularly for disabled people or those with pushchairs."
Shopper Maggie Smith, 58, said she 'loved' the new Boots store. "I think I was one of the first people inside," she said. "It's bright and spacious and it's a good thing for the centre of Chichester."
Mum-of-two Amy Harrison said: "There are a lot of extra ranges stocked inside the new Boots such as children's clothes, so I'm really pleased."
The store is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
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