EAGER shoppers lined up to be the first through the doors of Chester’s new John Lewis At Home shop on Greyhound Retail Park.

The ribbon was cut last Wednesday morning by representatives of three local charities – Blacon Community Trust, Business Action on Homelessness and Nicola’s Fund – which are being supported by the retail chain’s Community Matters scheme.

The 38,000sq ft shop, the first At Home store in the North West and only the fifth nationally, has provided 226 jobs.

It stocks furniture, homeware, furnishing accessories and electrical and home technology.

Branch manager Mark Blundell said: “We are thrilled to be opening a new shop in Chester.

“It’s very important to us that we become a part of the Chester community and we look forward to meeting our customers in the coming weeks.”

Staff first entered the store last weekend and a team spent nine days stacking shelves with £1.9m worth of stock.

Mr Blundell added: “We have got a really good-looking store.”

The winner of John Lewis’s art competition, Lydia Griffiths, was a special guest at the opening ceremony. The five-year-old beat other schoolchildren with a picture of her favourite room and her winning creation was displayed on one of the shop’s new fridges for the first week of trading.

The branch boasts a cafe and a Click and Collect point, allowing shoppers to pick up products bought online – including clothing and toys not available in store.

Opening hours are 9am-7pm Monday to Saturday and 11am (10.30-11am browsing) to 5pm on Sundays.