ASDA's big makeover has shoppers flocking in

Within an hour of the doors opening at Asda's Bournemouth Road store the car park was almost full and there were traffic tail backs on surrounding roads.

It was more than 32 years ago that the giant store opened under the Carrefour banner to pave the way for an out-of-town shopping revolution.

Since then it has a number of changes in ownership but it is the first time it has such a dramatic shop floor transformation.

The store's general manager Mike McMillan said: "It has taken 12 weeks to turn it from a building site into a new store.

"Every nut and bolt has been replaced and we have created more space for the customer."

It has also given the area a big jobs boost. Fifty permanent jobs have been created together with 100 temporary positions. Over the busy Christmas period the store will have a workforce of about 1,200.

Yesterday's ticker-tape reopening, complete with a jazz band, brought back memories of when the store opened in a blaze of glory more than 32 years ago.

It was a nostalgic moment for Brenda Lyons who started work at the then Carrefour two weeks before it opened in 1974. She has been there ever since and never had a day off sick. The 61-year-old grandmother, who lives in Eastleigh, started as a checkout girl before becoming a supervisor.

Still as enthusiastic about her work as she was 32 years ago, Brenda said: "I like helping the customers and I enjoy the companionship. I have seen some changes over the years but this is the biggest one."

Brenda joined Eastleigh Mayor Peter Wall as he cut a huge green ribbon to launch the new look store and pave the way for a stampede of shoppers.

One of the first through the doors was Sam Matkowski from North Baddesley. He was one of the first customers to shop at the store on the first day it opened more than 30 years ago.

He remembers when a half pound of butter was 7.5 new pence. Yesterday he returned for slice of the repackaged Asda.