Excited shoppers gather outside new Bury St Edmunds Primark, at arc Shopping Centre, ahead of grand opening

Excited shoppers have turned out early for the eagerly anticipated opening of Bury St Edmunds’ new Primark.

The store, which will have a ribbon cutting at 10am, has put up queue barriers in a foggy Charter Square for customers to queue in before the big moment.

Jodi Healy, of Long Melford, was first in the queue, leaving the village at 7am to wait in line.

She was presented with a goodie bag by store manager Timothy Norton.

She said: “I wanted to be the first in Primark, although I didn’t think I’d be first.

“Bury needs it. I grew up her, and it needs somewhere affordable for everyone to get essentials, that’s what its good for.

Jodi said she did not know what she was going to purchase first but she would enjoy having a look around to see what was on offer.

Just behind Jodi were best friends Lisa Undrill and Loucie Atkin, of Mildenhall. Loucie finished a night shift at 7am and left for the queue straight after, where she met Lisa in line.

“We knew it was going to get busy quickly, it’s Primark,” Loucie said. “It’s exciting, there’s lots of cheap gym wear and sports wear, and it’s kid friendly.

“It’s the excitement of being first. It’s also just reasonable in price – and now we haven’t got to go to Cambridge or Norwich and pay extortionate prices for parking just to get essentials.”

Loucie said she was looking forward to getting some fluffy socks, which she had seen online she could purchase two pairs for £4.

Lisa added: “It’s the best day and I’m excited for more to come in.”

Lisa got up at 5.30am to be in Bury in time to meet Loucie outside of Primark. She said she would be buying some Stitch bedding for her daughter before looking for herself.

Anne Edgeworth and Sarah Algar were also among those at the front of the line. They were presented with goodie bags by the store.

Customers will be welcomed into Primark with a live DJ. The store has been fitted with self-checkouts, which the chain is trialling.

Timothy Norton, store manager, said: “Opening day has finally arrived and I’m so excited to have led the team to opening Primark Bury.

“I’ve seen first-hand all the hard work that’s gone into getting the store ready for the big day and it’s been fantastic to see such a positive reception and feel the love from the community.”

Primark Bury is the retailer’s 193rd store opening in the UK.