Walsall's new £55m Tesco opens its doors

It has taken eight months of work and cost £55 million - Walsall's new Tesco Extra supermarket finally opened to customers today.

Shoppers flocked to check out the new store at the heart of the town centre.

Council chiefs today welcomed the store, which has created 230 jobs, as a "fantastic employment opportunity", while shoppers today gave it a big thumbs up. Grandmother-of-10 Jane Hawkins was among the first shoppers through the doors.

"I think the new shop is lovely and it's really big," said Miss Hawkins, of Bentley.

"I only had a quick look around it this morning but I'm going to come back and have a look at everything properly later on.

"I think it will be brilliant for Walsall as it means people can come here and get everything they want," added the 51-year-old support worker for the Society for the Blind."

Set over two shopping floors, the store has two sets of travelators, a pharmacy with consultancy rooms, a photo lab, a large clothing department as well as a home entertainment centre, phone shop and a petrol station.

Council leader Mike Bird today welcomed the store but warned they must be aware of the implications for the rest of the town.

"I think it's a fantastic employment opportunity," said Councillor Bird.

"It is a huge store with 750 car parking spaces. We have to be aware of the implications that may have for the town centre.

"But this is a good news story, it's a huge store and the creation of employment in the town must be celebrated."

Tesco Extra has been built at the town's former college site, in St Paul's Street.

The new store was the subject of a land swap agreement between Tesco, the college, Walsall Council and the old Walsall Regeneration Company.

It saw Walsall College's new Wisemore Campus open in September last year in Littleton Street West.

Tesco Extra was officially opened by Walsall's mayor Councillor Gary Clarke.