PEOPLE queued the whole way around the top floor of The Dolphin to get a first glimpse of the long-awaited Wilko store in Poole.

Some customers were in line as early as 6am, sitting in camping chairs, waiting to get their hands on the brand's popular products.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening, and the first 50 customers to enter the shop were treated to goody bags filled with some of Wilko’s top-rated products. With the very customer winning a brand-new lawn mower.

(Image: Submitted)

Wilko Poole’s store manager, Ben Hunt, said: “Everyone is so excited that Wilko is back in the Dolphin Centre.

“I think when the store closed last year there was a huge outcry from the public to bring back a brand that people missed.”

Spanning 23,500 square feet, the new Poole store offers customers everything they need to undertake home and garden projects at affordable price points, stocking a selection of wilko’s great-value own-brand products alongside popular named brands.

Susie Spencer visited Wilko to browse some of the 100,000 products available in the shop, she said: “Yippee, it’s back! I have missed it popping in, you can get everything here.”

Susie’s shopping buddy, Elaine Candy added: “We are going to give the shop a good once over, going up and down the aisles.

“We could be here all day.”

The store also hosts a range of Iceland’s frozen food products. It’s opening comes ahead of a further national roll-out, with more locations to be announced soon.

CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range and Wilko, Alex Simpkin, said: “We are thrilled by the incredible turnout at today’s Poole store opening, which marks a very positive start to our residence at the Dolphin Centre.

 “We’re excited to continue expanding our high street presence, bringing quality products at great value prices to local communities and our loyal customers.”

The ribbon cutting was officiated by CDS owner Chris Dawson and local businesswoman Natalie Lawrence, who owns Wimborne Hair Extensions & Aesthetics.