VISITORS to Blackburn’s new Primark store yesterday bought 50 per cent more than the chainstore’s average shopper, bosses confirmed.

The cut-price clothing shop was the centre of frenetic activity on what was described as a ‘great day’ for the town centre.

Queues had started forming two hours before Strictly Come Dancing star Ricky Whittle was greeted with screams from hundreds of young fans for the official opening.

Also opening yesterday was Costa Coffee, another first for Blackburn, and a larger WH Smith store.

But it seemed every shopper inside the Mall was carrying a Primark bag – and bosses reported trading well above average on its opening day.

Despite holding the opening on a Monday, a traditionally quiet day, Primark director Breege O’Donoghue said it had been ‘very, very busy’.

The most demand was found in the women’s and children’s departments.

Ms O’Donoghue said the normal ‘basket’ spend was 50 per cent higher than Primark’s average.

She added: “We’ve been just about able to handle the numbers of people coming in.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback, including from people saying they won’t need to go to Manchester any more.”

Click on the link below to read our story on the opening and to view our video and photos.