EXCITED shoppers gathered as Winchester’s new TK Maxx store opened yesterday.

The huge new store covering two floors of the Brooks Shopping Centre saw its ribbon cut by its first customer, local business owner Alex Cox.

Alex, owner of Raw Bean Coffee said he decided to take some time out of his busy schedule to do a bit of shopping.

“I didn’t expect to win some flowers. It’s very exciting. I have been waiting for it to open and happy to see it finally arrive,” he said.

To celebrate the store’s opening 50 hidden labels redeemable for £10 gift cards have been hidden throughout the shop.

Weeke resident Maria-Lena Loncke found the first card. 

“I’m very excited. I think it will be a great place to shop in Winchester. I’m a big fan of TX Maxx and I usually have to travel to Fareham or Southampton, so it’s great that it’s finally here," she said.

Since opening their first store in the UK in 1994 TK Maxx now has more than 500 stores across the UK, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.