THE long-awaited Waitrose store has opened in Worcester.

Around 30 people queued for the opening at 8am this morning (Thursday) in a bid to be among the first customers to shop in the London Road store.

The 38,000 square-foot store has its own sushi bar, a wine bar and a cafe with outdoor seating as well as a community room that will be hired out, free, to local charities and not-for-profit organisations.

It will also offer 130 jobs with staff regarded as co-owners in the business.

First in the queue was Jenny Siolo.

She said: "I was here at 7.15am. My daughter works here. She is going to be so embarrassed."

Mrs Siolo was presented with flowers and champagne by branch manager Scott Whittaker for being the first customer.

After looking around the store, she said: "It's very good. Excellent.

"It's better than I was expecting. It's lovely."

Also at the front of the queue was Trevor Beddoes, who lives in St Peter's, and normally shops at the Waitrose in Malvern.

He said: "This is nearer home.

"It's wonderful service and a wonderful selection of quality food."

Robin Walker was at the London Road store to open it.

He said: "This is a great development for Worcester.

"It's really exciting to see so many new jobs being created - and not just jobs but partnerships where people have a direct say in the business.

He added: "I think it's a vote of confidence in the city."

Mr Walker also said he had already been told about success stories for employees including work for one person who was deaf and another who had been out of work for three years.

Branch manager Scott Whittaker said: "I'm incredibly proud.

"I've worked for Waitrose for 28 years and this is my proudest moment to open this shop.

"She is an absolute beaut."

He added: "We've got the community room where every charity or not-for-profit organisation can rent for free.

"The cafe has 122 covers with outside seating so we can have 200 people sitting and eating and drinking.

"There's 130 partners.

"We are trying out a new model which means we give people larger contracts. 18 hours is the lowest contract that anyone has.

"It's a more fulfilling job and there's more chance of progression and better pay.

"They are all co-owners in this business."

John and Jane Williams were shopping at the store.

Mr Williams said: "I'm glad to see it here.

"We need to see the other half of the organisation (John Lewis) here now too."

Mrs Williams said: "Some of the prices are dear but they do have some that are like Asda and some special offers.

"We will see how long it lasts."

Isabel Brooks, aged nine and a pupil from Nunnery Wood Primary School, won a competition held to design bags that Waitrose staff were giving out to customers.

The school's head Rachel Higgins said: "The whole of Worcester city schools were invited to be in the competition and all the schools took up the challenge.

"We talked about things to do with Worcester and what might be significant to Worcester prior to the design."

Isabel said: "I think it will be really exciting to see people walking around with my design."