Opening of the new Ely Sainsburys, Ely Standard competition winner Claire Smith from Ely, with Store Manager Alex Bettison

DOZENS of eager shoppers were ready and waiting to try out the new Sainsbury’s superstore in Ely on Wednesday morning.

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The store was officially opened at 9am by Ely Standard competition winner Claire Smith and manager Alex Bettison, who hailed it as his “proudest day” in more than 20 years with the retail giant.

Shoppers were welcomed in by the Ely Youth Choir and were also treated to a glass of bucks fizz.

The new store, on Lisle Lane, will stock almost 30,000 products and also boasts more than 450 parking spaces and is home to a pharmacy, an opticians, delicatessen, bakery, salad bar, butcher and fishmonger.

Claire Smith, who lives in Ely, cut the ribbon to officially open the new store, “It was a very pleasant surprise to have won,” she said. “I am delighted to have cut the ribbon because there has been a lot of interest around the new store and I think it will be good for Ely.”