SHOPPERS in Oxford were welcomed to the opening of not one, but two new Tesco stores in the city centre yesterday.

A Tesco Metro, in the former Borders store in Magdalen Street, and a new outlet at St Aldate’s will employ almost 200 people.

Town crier Anthony Church rang a bell to mark the occasion and announced the opening of the 15,000 sq ft store in Magdalen Street to passers-by.

Store manager Tony Wevill said the store would be a great asset to the city centre.

He said: “It is a fantastic store with a great range and feel to it. It is also in a good position for tourists, shoppers and locals, so we hope it will provide something for everyone.”

He added: “We have 140 staff in the new shop, 85 per cent of whom were recruited through the job centre.”

During the opening, a cheque for £1,000 was handed to Bruce Douglas and Shaun Quirk – representatives from the Gatehouse homeless project in St Michael’s Street.

Mr Douglas, a project worker for the organisation, said: “Gatehouse is mostly volunteer-run, so this money will be invaluable in helping the 60 people we work with every day.”

The first store customers were treated to Champagne and cake, and many enjoyed the novelty of the new shop.

Derek Gillard, 65, of Marston, Oxford, said the store was “absolutely brilliant”.

He said: “I usually use the Cowley Road store, but it is great to have one in the city centre.”

The St Aldate’s store is a smaller Tesco Express, on the site of the former Solus Lighting shop, and has created 20 jobs.

At the opening, a cheque for £500 was given to representatives from the Helen and Douglas House charity. The ribbon was cut by patient Kerri Hunter, Jo Micallef, a care team nurse, and fundraiser Jennifer Hudson.

Store manager Lee McDowell said: “We hope that Tesco will become a key part of the local community.”

Both stores will be open seven days a week.