Popular discount retailer Home Bargains opened its doors to shoppers in Martlesham Heath on Saturday.
Home Bargains was confirmed in October as the latest name to join Beardmore Park, occupying one of two units built off Martinsyde opposite the M&S store.
The 15,000 sq ft store is its first in the Ipswich area, joining more than 400 other branches across the country selling homewares, toys, sweets and snacks, drinks and alcohol, home interior products and health and beauty goods.
The £750,000 store has created 50 jobs, with 10 part-time vacancies still being advertised.
Store manager Matt Shimmon-Davies, 46, of Ipswich, said: “It was a really successful morning and we couldn’t be happier with how we started.
“We sell anything from health and beauty to food, fresh produce, alcohol, home living such as beds and cushions – a complete range under one roof.
“We are still recruiting. Just come into the store, drop a CV in, or apply online.”
It comes as proposals for 2,000 new homes at nearby Adastral Park are next week set to be approved, following years of fierce debate, protests, and high court battles.
Experts claim the £100million-plus 279-acre project – dubbed a “new town” by opponents – could create 550 jobs during construction and 350 permanent jobs when complete, and bring a huge boost to the economy.
Mark Smith, 30, of London, one of the first shoppers at Home Bargains, said: “It looks great – brand new and fresh. It is exactly what Ipswich and this area needs.
“It seems to be becoming a shopping industrial estate. It has anything and everything. Why would you want to move to somewhere else? We’re only five minutes’ round the corner. You have got all your shopping needs in this area now. I’m not sure what else they could add – perhaps a car dealership.”
Reflecting on the Adastral Park homes bid, he said: “That will be great for helping infrastructure and will obviously bring in jobs.”
Pre-school teacher Kate Whelan, 34, of Ipswich, was also one of the first shoppers at the store.
She said: “The store looks good, clean and tidy. They have chosen a good place because there is a lot of variety around here.”
A further development is being planned on nearby unused ground, where Aldi is thought to be hoping to create a new store.
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