STOURBRIDGE’S mammoth new Tesco superstore officially opened its doors this morning (Thursday October 31) to cheers from shoppers.

The town’s MP Margot James ‘cut the ribbon’ at the launch event which saw customers treated to free cake, champagne and orange juice.

Store manager Sadie Griffiths also handed over a £1,000 cheque to Mary Stevens Hospice and £500 to the team behind new community interest company Unit3sixty which plans to open a brand new skate park in the town.

Thousands of shoppers flocked to the new 24-hour Tesco Extra supermarket, which forms the centrepiece of the new £50million Crown Centre redevelopment, after the doors opened at 8am.

Among those most excited to be at the grand opening was Stourbridge great-grandmother Ethel Fazey.

The wheelchair-bound 95-year-old had been ill for some time and had been determined to make it to the launch.

Her daughter Sylvia Ellis said: “She kept saying I want to go on until Tesco opens - she’s been looking forward to going shopping for her own clothes.”

Mrs Fazey, who has lived in Stourbridge since she was six months old, said: “I think all the people who were against it would be for it now they can see what it’s like. I was worried at first but it’s lovely.”

Tesco spokesman James Wiggan said it was “fabulous to see so many customers” on launch day which he described as “a big day for us and a big day for Stourbridge”. He added: “We look forward to serving the community for many years to come.”

Stourbridge’s MP Ms James said after officially declaring the new store and shopping centre open: “I think it’s magnificent; it’s a real credit to the town.

“It’s transformed the whole area around the town clock and Lower High Street. It’s really good how they’ve merged the modern in carefully with the more traditional buildings of Stourbridge.”

Stourbridge stalwart and magician John Milner described the new development “an improvement on what we had before” and Stourbridge resident Barbara French said: “It’s certainly put Stourbridge in a different league.”

Rev Stuart Scott, vicar at St John’s Church in Stourbridge, praised the regeneration project, which has taken 18 months, as “good for jobs” and welcomed the 500-space car park which offers three hours free parking for all shoppers.

He added: “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity and hopefully there will be a positive spin off across the board.”

John Polychronakis, chief executive of Dudley Council, said: “It looks fantastic. it will be a great benefit to the economy of the town.”

Pete Lowe, deputy leader of Dudley Council and Labour’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge, said the new store would “significantly increase footfall into Stourbridge” but stressed: “We can’t be complacent; we need to work with local shop owners to encourage footfall into the whole town.”

Councillor Judy Foster, Dudley’s cabinet member for regeneration, thanked businesses, residents and shoppers ther patience during the works to bring Tesco to town and said she was “delighted” the project was now complete.

Dudley’s deputy mayor Councillor Margaret Aston, who joined Ms James to open the store, described it as “absolutely marvellous” and her consort Councillor Adam Aston added: “I think it’s fantastic to see the Crown Centre regenerated.”

He said he was “especially impressed with all the art work” designed by Stourbridge artist Luke Perry which has been installed at the brand new entrance to the town hall and library.

Luke, from Wollaston, was also at the launch for the first public viewing of his work which sees Wollaston school pupils and best friends Oscar Hamilton-Roderick and Annabelle Lilley immortalised as children in a brushed stainless steel relief image which adorns the library walls.

Oscar’s proud dad Neal Roderick said: “I think it’s fantastic, especially as it features Annabel as well - because they’re great friends.”

Luke, aged 30, added: “It’s good to see how people respond to it. I always knew how it would look but no-one else did.”

The new Crown Centre development also includes a new cafe and 14 additional units which Tesco bosses say a number of operators have expressed interest in moving in to.