A POPULAR bargain store has opened its doors in Basingstoke – creating 40 jobs.

Home Bargains, in Old Winchester Road, was officially opened by Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Councillor Dan Putty, who cut the ribbon as staff, customers and senior management members cheered.

The store, which is the latest of 330 outlets across the UK, sells a huge range of bargains including a wide selection of home products.

Area manager Kareem Jalwani said he was not surprised to see so many customers queuing outside before the doors opened.

He said: “There are lots of people who will have visited our stores elsewhere and who have been excited about this store finally opening in Basingstoke.

“We offer a great range of products here at low prices and people really respond to that. This is a very exciting time for the company.”

Home Bargains has invested around £500,000 in the new store, which is at a former Staples site.

The store has employed 40 staff, all of whom come from the local area.

Mr Jalwani said: “It was important to us that we employed people from Basingstoke. We are really looking forward to the future and looking forward to seeing this store become a great success.”

In addition to products for the home, Home Bargains also stocks a range of top branded goods, including health and beauty, home style goods, sweets, snacks and drinks.