IT was the day that Rita Fyfe didn't know she would live to see.

She arrived outside the doors of WestQuay at 6.30am - nearly two hours before they would open.

Aside from a few workmen putting the finishing touches to the £295 million complex, Rita stood alone.

The 87-year-old said: "I've been in Southampton since 1938 and I have been waiting for this.

"When I first heard about it they said it would take two years to build, and I wondered if I would be alive to see it."

As the minutes ticked by to the 8am opening Rita, was slowly joined by others eager to catch the first glimpse of the city's shopping revolution.

Though the shops inside would not open for another 90 minutes, Rita and around 20 other shopaholics who had gathered didn't care.

"I've heard there's about 16 restaurants in there, so I'm sure I can get breakfast somewhere," said Rita, of South Front, Southampton.

She moved to the city from Scotland to be closer to her sweetheart as he was doing a training course in Redbridge.

She later married him. "I just loved Southampton straight away," said Rita.

"It's a lovely city and I think that WestQuay will bring more life to the place.

"I'm all for change, even at my age!"

While Rita was first to arrive outside, it was 64-year-old Terrence Carpenter, from Rownhams, who had the honour of being the first shopper through the doors.

As he strode proudly through the Above Bar entrance, he said: "I wanted to come early as it's an exciting complex for Southampton.

"It's created so many jobs and there's a real feel-good factor about it. Everyone has worked so hard for it and it feels overwhelming to be the first person through the doors.

"I never thought I would be the first person, so it is exciting."

Within half an hour, shoppers steadily poured through the doors.

The gleaming walkways of the complex were soon bustling with people of all ages.

For the hundreds of builders who helped create the mammoth mall, none was more pleased to see its completion than Terry Piddington.

The 31-year-old brick-layer, from St Denys, beamed with pride as he stood outside WestQuay.

"I started working here two years ago. This is a big thing, being a Southampton boy, to have worked on it and to be able to see it finished today.

"In 30 or 40 years' time from now, I can look at it and say 'I worked on that.'"

One of the last retailers to claim their place in the centre was New Look, who had just six weeks to get its shop up to scratch.

But store manager Geraldine Kelly made time to bake a cake for the occasion, which was given to its first customers.

She said: "Everyone has been really excited waiting for this as this is probably the biggest retail thing to have happened to Southampton.

"Everyone's worked their socks off for it, and we can't wait to open. It's a great day."

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