SHOPPERS ‘took advantage’ of a new Port Glasgow store as it opened it’s doors for the first time.

The ribbon was cut on the new Boots branch at the Port Glasgow Retail Park on Wednesday morning.

Store manager Lorna Macpherson says the shop’s arrival is great news for the area — especially as it has created 25 new jobs.

Lorna, right, said: “It’s so exciting, I think it’s brilliant for Inverclyde and Port Glasgow’s regeneration.

“The fact that there are all these retail units here now is amazing.

“It is good for the town and people arriving in the area.

“You can see how busy it is. The car park is choc-a-block.”

Stuart McMillan, Inverclyde’s MSP, says it was great to see the new store open, especially as he grew up in the town.

He told the Tele: “I’m delighted as this is another big step forward for Port Glasgow and for this shopping zone.

“It’s a great addition as Boot is a UK-wide brand that everyone recognises. The business has created jobs and breathed new life into Port Glasgow.

“It’s a great thing to have another addition to the town.”

Mark Millar, who is the head of customer experience at Boots for the West of Scotland, was keen to stress that the Greenock Boots store, which is located in the Oak Mall Shopping Centre, will remain open.

He said: “It is really important to us as a company to be part of our communities.

“In addition to the great service we can give in Port Glasgow, we will continue to provide great care in our Greenock store too.”

Richard Reed, who is the trading director for Boots UK, says it is the start of an exciting new chapter for the company.

He said: “Caring for our communities is such a priority for us.

“This is testament of that commitment.”

The store, which has a pharmacy, opens Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm, Saturday, 9am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm.