The curtain has officially been lifted and the red ribbon cut at Marks and Spencer Bracknell.

The store opening was the first in the new £225m Lexicon Devlopment, and was intended to set a benchmark for the rest of the shops.

Robin and Loretta Lockhart were the first customers into the store, having started in the queue at 7am, three hours before the ceremony even began. 

The ribbon cutting featured a host of big names including store manager Tom Henderson was in attendance, as well as Bracknell Forest mayor Tina McKenzie-Boyle and even Percy Pig. 

Over 1,000 people were in the queue when the store opened for the first time, with many excited to see what the new flagship store was like.


 Mr Henderson said: "Today’s opening has been an incredible success and we are absolutely delighted to be the first store to welcome customers to this exciting new shopping destination for the region.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and their feedback today has been fantastic to hear.

"Customers have been particularly impressed with the breadth of clothing ranges on offer and our striking green living wall, which was a real talking point.”

The supermarket is replacing the old shop in Wokingham, which closed its doors for the last time yesterday to make way.

Preparations began in the store last Monday July 17, with several members of staff still working at the outgoing Wokingham branch.