Locals flocked to the opening of The Food Co’s ‘Tesco’ store near Quesada last week and your favourite weekly read, the Costa Blanca People was on hand to help mark the celebration. First through the door was Robert Davison, a local resident who started queuing around 7.45am. By the time much-loved entertainer Stevie Spit cut the ribbon at 10am, the queue was round the block. Luckily, the crowds were entertained by Sunshine FM’s Pat Martin who helped pass the time.
The first 1,000 customers through the door received a Tesco branded shopping bag with a mini-bottle of prosecco, a pack of mince pies and a bottle of sparking orange.
Store Manager Ben Cumpstone is one of the eight team members that have worked for The Food Co long-term and recently opened its Ibiza store.
Ben said: “We are hoping to welcome thousands of new customers today. The Quesada store has created 30 local jobs and there are now five ‘Tesco’ stores in Spain with the sixth about to open in Mijas, Costa del Sol. We hope to store will prove a huge hit with all nationalities living in the local communities.”
The Quesada store stocks 5,500 different stock lines including the ‘Free from’ range which caters for vegan and those with food intolerances. It is also the first ‘Tesco’ to stock a non-food range. Of course there are festive bargains galore and the home favourites were already proving a huge hit with the expat community. The freshly baked section includes Tiger bread and there is also a selection of the popular Tesco sandwich meal deals, just like in the UK, at 4.50e
First through the till was 13-year-old Max and his 11-year-old friend Cory who popped in for sweets, pop and crisps! The first adult shopper was Carlene who just couldn’t resist stocking up on those much-missed goodies from home.