Long-serving staff and former colleagues were given the red carpet treatment, while a giant till roll was cut in a special ceremony to open a 20,000 sq ft mezzanine floor at the Edgar Road supercentre.

Despite a half hour delay due to traffic problems, a stretch limo transported VIP guests to the store, where they received a ticker tape greeting amidst a mass balloon launch and pyrotechnics show in front of a gathering of curious shoppers.

Laureen McRitchie, who opened the store at its current location back in March 1999 after winning a 'design a badge' contest, returned to snip her way through the huge ceremonial roll. Retired former employee Sandy Gerrard then cut a cake which was made available to staff and customers within the store.

It was a special occasion for two current staff members, both of whom have worked for Asda and its predecessors through various takeovers and relocations since the mid-seventies.

Checkout operator Catherine Milne recalled how she started employment for Coopers Fine Fare when it was based in the town centre near to St Giles Church, before moving to the site presently occupied by B&Q and then crossing the road to its current location nine years ago.

"Nothing was scanned in in those days," she said. "Everything was individually priced and you just had to type it all into the till."

Kenny Allan (64) also remembers the old shop, where he began working in 1976, and it triggered memories of his time as butchery manager when he still had to cut the meat from the carcass.

"I've seen massive changes over the years. Now I work in home and leisure, dealing with the newspapers and magazines, where it's not as stressful!"

Two more well-known faces from the past, retired colleagues Mina Stewart and Frances Ann Wildman, completed the VIP party and gave the new look store their approval.

"It's just fantastic what they have done with the place," Mrs Wildman said.

Former Asda employee Sandy Gerrard cuts the cake to celebrate the opening of the Elgin store's brand new refit. Store manager David Byers (third left) presents flowers to current and former staff members Catherine Milne, Frances Ann Wildman, Mina Stewart and Laureen McRitchie. Also pictured is current employee Kenny Allan, who has served the company since 1976.

The upstairs extension was open to the public last Friday and large numbers of customers visited over the weekend as the store was able to revert to 24 hour opening.

Created around 50 new jobs and taking Asda's total floor space up to over 60,000 sq ft., the upgrade includes a new photo centre and technical desk, re-designed cafe are and extensions to existing departments including the George clothing section which has doubled in size.

General store manager David Byers said the grand opening had been a long time in coming but believes it is a treat for shoppers.

"This is huge, not only for Asda but for the north-east of Scotland in general," he said. "And the feedback we've already had from customers over the weekend was really positive."

He paid tribute to the 500 members of staff who worked extra shifts and overtime to prepare the store for its official unveiling to the public.

"I want to thank all my colleagues for helping to make this happen. Sometimes it is easy to take it all for granted, but the hard work which has gone on behind the scenes has been incredible."

c.christie@northern-scot.co.uk

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