A MAJOR store has opened its doors at a Colchester retail park, creating 35 jobs.

The first customer through the doors of Next’s new home store at Tollgate, Stanway, got a glass of bucks fizz and a goody bag, which were also handed out to the first 50 paying customers.

The chain, which already has a clothes shop in the town centre, reported a small crowd of shoppers waiting for the doors to open.

It is the latest in a line of big names to move into the retail park in Stanway, where bosses are reporting business is good, despite the economic gloom.

Tollgate achieved a first in August last year when the new Boots store launched a drive-through prescription service which proved a massive hit with customers.

Daniel Watts, director of the Tollgate Partnership, said the next big development will see work start on a 150,000sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket, which will be the biggest in the country and its flagship store.

Planning permission was granted earlier this month for the store by Colchester Council which will include 875 parking spaces and a petrol station.

The existing store is not big enough to meet rising demand from customers.

Sainsbury’s previously agreed with Colchester Council to train and employ up to 70 jobless residents.

Mr Watts said: “The next big thing will be Sainsbury’s, which will be the biggest in the country, and we hope work will be starting on that next year.”