A NEW Costa coffee shop opened in the Debenhams on the Parade in the town centre yesterday.

Mayor Maureen Penny cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening and customers flocked to the shop to grab a cuppa.

Sue Cowling from Blunsdon and Irene Ockwell were very happy with the new cafe.

Irene said: "It's lovely, it's quieter than the one across the road, which is sometimes so busy it's difficult to find a seat, and the atmosphere here is really nice.

"We're Costa regulars, I'll come into town and have my breakfast there, do some shopping and go back in to have a coffee.

Sue said: "We're happy there's another Costa in the town centre, it's very convenient."

The new Costa's manager Donna Mulholland said: "It's been going really well, we've had people walk in immediately after it opened and it's in a prime location by the bus station so it should be really busy."

Mayor Penny said: "I think this is a great addition to Debenhams and the town centre.

"It's also great for the people working in the offices in the Tricentre to have it on their doorstep.

"There used to be a Debenhams-owned coffee shop here and it was really popular so I'm very pleased that this one has opened."

Debenhams store manager Alex Harding was delighted by the response from customers on the coffee shop's first day of business.

He said: "Initial responses have been fantastic.

"As a company we are trying to make the shopping experience more enjoyable and more sociable so I think it's a great addition to the store and it's a great complement to the existing restaurant on the first floor.

"It's a wonderful environment, it's very relaxed, it's a great place to sit and get a coffee and watch the world go by."

The new addition to the Parade has created eight new jobs.