Hundreds brave the rain to be the first customers in Portsmouth's newest budget shop

Scores of people braved the rain to be the first shoppers inside North End’s new Poundworld Plus, in London Road.

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Ken Ellcome officially cut the ribbon to open the store.

The first customer into it was Elizabeth Bulpin, 25, of Stamshaw.

She had been queuing for more than an hour with her baby boy, Rieley Carter, one.

She said: ‘It looks really great. Everyone loves a pound shop. People struggle more and more and budgets are so tight. So it’s great to have these here.’

The shop sells bargain products for £1 along with other more expensive items too, including mobility scooters.

The store’s manager Simon Payne was excited about the future.

‘The site was really run down when we got it so we have put so much hard work into it,’ he said.

‘It’s been overwhelming seeing so many people waiting outside. It’s very exciting.’

The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.