BARGAIN hunters were queuing outside the new Poundland from 8.30am.

The massive new town centre store opened more than an hour earlier than planned, with managers blown away by the demand.

Occupying a Havelock Square shop unit until recently home to a 99p Store, the latest Poundland will stock a wider range of food, tools and household items than was kept at the Regent Street branch it has replaced.

Geetha Cheedella, store manager, said: “This is fantastic. It’s a brand-new store with an all new range. It’s come into the market at just the right time. Poundworld is going, we’ve lost 99p Store from the market.”

Poundland’s HQ told the Advertiser last week that their latest Swindon store would stock a clothing range, with all items set at £1.

While that turned out to be wrong, the new, larger shop will be stocking more lines, including gardening equipment. Geetha said: “We have more new lines coming this year, with lovely new garden items in our multi-pack range set at £5 or £2.”

New self-serve check outs would help customers, she said: “It will make customers’ lives easier and means quicker service. We have recruited more employees. The people who worked on the tills have been moving onto the shop floor. We’re getting more stock out.”

George Smith, Poundland’s area manager, said: “We closed the smaller store and we’ve got more range and a bigger shop that means we can serve the town more effectively.”

More than 600 people had visited the store by 9.45am this morning. The new turquoise-fronted store was thronging with shoppers. “It’s been like this since we opened,” said George. “There were people standing outside.”

Among the bargain hunters was 89-year-old Margaret Green, of Old Town: “I like it. You can always get a bargain of some sort.” She had picked up some meat and a pie for her supper.

Ivy Horne, 76, of Walcot, had grabbed some cereal treats: “I used to shop at the Regent Street Poundland. It’s good. Very nice. I remember when it was the 99p Store.”

Susan Eatwell, 55, of Wroughton, said: “It’s bigger than the other shop. There are more shelves and the people are friendly. We’ve bought biscuits and crisps.”