TO MARK the opening of a new store in 1987, a weekend of celebrations were lavishly put on.

I can vividly remember being dragged along to Texas Homecare on Winchester Road as a child numerous times.

At the age of five I was more interested in Thundercats or Star Wars than I was DIY – still am – but there was something magical about walking around a large warehouse with shelves that appeared to go on forever, the tops seemingly disappearing into the heavens above.

Wash basins and toilets appeared to serve no purpose than to tease those in need of more operational facilities, while bathtubs sat upright against walls – their position presumably not a recommendation for actual installation.

Sections of the shop were magically transformed into kitchens - none of which functioned – but would always contain a bowl of plastic fruit.

Texas opened its doors to the public on Friday October 16, 1987, and there began a weekend of celebrations.

The public were given the opportunity to meet with comic Bobby Davro, who was at the height of his fame at the time - Bobby Davro’s TV Weekly being watched by families up and down the country.

Later that day Malcolm Marshall, “The world’s fastest bowler” was on hand to bowl over the crowds, while in the evening patrons were treated to a party with free beverages and live music from Georgia Jazz Band.

Footballing legend Sir Bobby Charlton and Miss Echo were meeting those who attended.

The following morning a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce picked up twelve-year-old Mark Davis from his home in Totton to take him to the store.

Mark was the winner of an Echo and Texas competition which entitled him to VIP treatment and to the honour of officially opening the store.

An advert from the time referred to him as “The Texas Star For a Day”.

He did the business at 9am with a pair of ceremonial scissors and then with mum Barbara, enjoyed star treatment for the day, meeting TV personalities who visited the store and taking a limousine ride out into the New Forest for a posh lunch.

“But I did feel a bit silly with the scissors,” admitted Mark.

A grand procession snaked its way through the streets of Southampton, starting out from Commercial Road and ending up in Winchester Road. The parade included clowns and Scarlett Imperial Marching Band.

A competition ran in which people had to guess the weight of the Dulux Dog, who made a guest appearance at the store in the morning.

Before lunchtime another television star swung by to say hello and meet the shoppers - practical joker and star of Beadle’s About - Jeremy Beadle.

In the afternoon, Tenderheart the care Bear turned up, releasing hundreds of special balloons into the skies - watched by a mass of children and their parents.

Adverts in the Daily Echo at the time showed some of the special offers Texas were offering for the opening weekend,which included a loft ladder for £4.99 or a wheelbarrow for £8.99.