SHOPPERS poured into Oxford’s Clarendon Centre yesterday for the opening of the new H&M shop.

Bargain hunters started queueing before 9.30am, more than an hour-and-a-half before the store opened, as they tried to be first in line to check out what the new clothing outlet had to offer.

The shop opened at 11am with the first few shoppers through the door getting 25 per cent off their purchases.

Clarendon Centre manager Ginny Fellows said that by 11am crowds were all the way up to Bonn Square.

She said: “It’s going really well and is great for the centre and for H&M. It’s certainly has been pretty busy all day.”

Emily Steelquist from Summertown couldn’t wait to be one of the first customers.

The 20 year-old student said: “There is definitely a lot of energy in the Clarendon Centre today. I just came to buy some tights, but I’m excited for when the weather gets warmer. It has been fun to see all the staff hyped up. I only heard about the opening this morning, but it is a great boost for Oxford.”

The store, which has created 60 full and part-time jobs, is on three floors and covers 3,000 sq m.

Customers were welcomed by DJs and given balloons.

Rizwana Ali, 31, from Oxford Road, said: “I think people are always looking for cheap and cheerful clothing. I bought some clothes for my child today, and would love the children’s section to be even bigger.”

One shopper came with his wife all the way from Worcester to check out the new store. Stephen Moorhouse, 60, said: “It is great news for Oxford and makes it feel like the recovery is on its way.”

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Stephen Moorhouse, 60, who travelled from Worcester with his wife to check out the new store

Carlos Duarte, H&M’s country manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first store in the charming, historic city of Oxford this spring. With such diverse customers, including students and tourists as well as residents, we can offer something for everyone.”