A QUEUE of around 200 eager customers snaked their way around the John Lewis car park waiting for the new store to open its doors yesterday (Thursday).

First in the queue was Caroline Summerville, 49, who had set off from her home in Haywards Heath, Sussex, at 7.30am to be there for the opening at 10am.

She said: "I just love John Lewis and there is nothing like it near me. I have just moved home and so there are a lot of things I need.

"I usually come up to Purley Way about once a month and this is now going to be my main port of call.

"I think it will pull a lot of extra people into Croydon."

The at-home store is only the second of its kind the partnership has opened in the country and focuses exclusively on selling furniture, furnishing accessories, homeware, electrical goods and home technology.

The store employs 220 people, chosen from 1,300 applicants.

The opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by store manager Glynis Gunning-Stevenson with help from pupils from the Parish Church Junior School in Croydon.

Mrs Gunning-Stevenson said: "John Lewis has been trying to open in Croydon for a long time and we are hoping the store will bring a lot of extra benefit to the Purley Way."

The sentiment was echoed by Jon Rouse, chief executive of Croydon Council, who attended the opening.

He said: "People will not just shop at John Lewis, they will visit other shops on the Purley Way and its opening is going to be a stimulus to Croydon's economy.

"It has also brought 200 jobs to the town at a time we need them."