BY CIARAN WOODS

The excitement and build-up of anticipation inside the new ASDA store on Monday was almost as high as in the queue outside, as Strabane's new superstore prepared to open its doors for the very first time. Managers congratulated their colleagues, everyone was made feel part of this very special occasion as the staff braced themselves for the influx of eager shoppers all hunting for bargains in the new store.

For weeks, locals have watched closely as the building went up, then neared completion, and for the last seven days the large sign outside counted down the days until opening of ASDA's new flagship store in the North. On Monday though the countdown was a much briefer one, as after a countdown from ten seconds to one, Strabane and former Ireland World Cup cricketer Peter Gillespie offically opened the store.

We were fortunate enough to be allowed into the store early on Monday morning, and thus had the chance to explore before the masses piled through the doors. So bright, so colourful, and most striking of all... so spacious. Families, young singles, they were all out in force to see what ASDA had to offer. The sounds of St Joseph's Brass Band floated in through the doors, while Irish Dancers showed their skills inside. Elsewhere, eager kids queued patiently to get their faces painted as carnival fever descended on what was an otherwise dull and wet Monday morning.

One little boy though wasn't quite as impressed as others though. "I thought we were going to the place with the books?" he asked his mother as they entered the store. "No," she replied, "I said ASDA, not Argos!" However, upon setting his sights on the Playstation games, the young fella seemed happy enough.

The new store will of course not only bring a new bigger and brighter retail outlet to the town, but will also create no less than 180 new jobs in a welcome boost for the Strabane economy. All those in attendance were in no doubt that the store would act as a magnet to other large outlets, the fact that ASDA has chosen Strabane as the location for its first purpose-built store in the North is a huge vote of confidence in the town and its future. If ASDA can do it, so can others is the common belief. The store is also set to draw visitors in from the wider Strabane district and further afield, and its close proximity to Donegal makes it an ideal location, with ASDA stating that 28 per cent of takings are currently in Euros.

According to the store's general manager, Eugene Teague, the opening represents a positive development for the local area.

"We aim to be part of the fabric of life in the North West and believe this new store will help contribute to the economic and social well-being of the entire area. I congratulate everyone who has helped us – our colleagues, our suppliers, all involved in the construction and fit-out process, and specially to all our customers for their support and encouragement."

Council Chairman Gerard Foley, speaking after Monday's opening, said, "The creation of an additional 180 jobs over and above the current workforce of Asda will provide a substantial boost to the local economy. The additional jobs will mean that more money is available to be spent in the local economy and the positive spin-offs will filter out to the wider economy locally.

"While there is undoubted concern that such a major retail outlet in the town could adversely affect smaller businesses in the area we have to be mindful of the large numbers of local people who are at present travelling to Derry, Letterkenny and Omagh to shop in such similar major retail outlets.

"The addition of this major ASDA retail outlet will improve the situation of attracting more shoppers to shop local and keep the money in the local economy. Other household names like Argos have also recently set up shop in the town and with this £15million ASDA investment there is no doubt that other such household names will follow.

"Strabane was once the foremost shopping town in the northwest and hopefully with this and other such investments the town will be well on its way to regaining this position."