The opening of the new Morleys in Bexleyheath attracted more than 1,000 customers within its first opening today.

The new flagship store has employed over 100 people from the area following a £3 million redevelopment project.

Morleys was praised for bringing “something special” to the area by Bexley Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill, who was among the guests at the opening ceremony.

Cllr O’Neill said: “The store promises to bring something really special to the Broadway for residents and visitors alike. The added bonus is the number of new jobs that the store has been able to offer local people.

“I am proud that we have been able to play a part in making the new store possible. This is a really good news story for our borough and I wish Morleys and its staff every success.”

The launch was announced by the town crier who paraded the Broadway Shopping Centre throughout the day.

Peter Sedge, general manager at Broadway Shopping Centre, said: “It’s great to see a successful brand like Morleys investing in the local economy.”

“It’s a vote of confidence in Bexleyheath and in particular in Broadway Shopping Centre, and testament to the hard work put in both by NewRiver and Bexley Council to secure such a quality tenant."

The Morleys store has moved into the old BHS site, covering 50,000 square feet across two storeys.

For more information about Morleys in Bexleyheath you can visit their website: http://www.morleysbexleyheath.co.uk/