Huge queues as shoppers try to get first glimpse at Chadwell Heath Asda

The first shoppers arrive through the doors and are presented with flowers (Image: Archant)

The supermarket, in Whalebone Lane South, was officially opened by a nine-year-old schoolgirl who wrote a spooky Halloween story and Cllr Milton McKenzie, of Chadwell Heath ward.

Alisha Garg, of William Bellamy Primary School in Frizlands Lane, Dagenham, won a competition against 90 other schoolchildren to earn the honour by writing the creepy tale.

Her classmates were given the first peak around the store while the school was awarded a £200 gift card.

An hour after the opening ceremony, shoppers were still queuing almost the whole length of the car park, anticipation having built after the site became “derelict and graffitied” prior to the construction of the store, according to manager Kristian Blount.

He said 250 jobs have been created by the company moving into Chadwell Heath, and that they had received just under 6,000 applications.

“Lots” of jobs were filled with people from Barking and Dagenham, he said without being able to give the exact figure.

An Asda spokesman said the “majority” had been filled by local people and she said the store worked with a Jobcentre Plus in Main Road, Romford, to fill vacancies.

Thirty of the vacancies were filled internally.

Mr Blount said: “It’s important we’ve got [staff] in the local community so they understand what our customers want.”

Construction took around six months, followed by a further 10 days to fill the store with stock and prepare departments including fish and pizza counters.

Mr Blount, who transferred from Asda’s Romford store, said: “In terms of look and feel, the store is brand new, it looks immaculate.

“It’s a great time to open in half term. It’s a very busy week with Halloween. We then go into Bonfire Night and then it’s into Christmas. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

Read tomorrow’s Post for more on the opening day and click on the gallery above for more pics.