IT has finally arrived.

Shoppers headed into Basingstoke town centre in droves this morning to have their first look at a new major department store.

After 16 months of building work the new John Lewis at home and Waitrose combined store opened to rapturous applause.

There was feverish “excitement” as the ribbon was cut at the Basing View store allowing scores of eager people, queuing up ahead of its opening, in to browse the merchandise.

More than 360 staff will be on site at the new store helping people find their way around the store and with their new purchases.

Teenager Olivia Jermy was joined by mum-of-two Gina Benson to open the £3.4 million store.

They were picked because they were the first “partners” hired there, with many of the staff from the Basingstoke area.

Olivia, 16, from the Winchester Road area is working in stock management for John Lewis at home.

She said: “It’s been amazing. I have been so excited, I’m not working this morning, I just wanted to be here, to be part of the opening.

“When they asked me to open it I thought they were joking but it’s been amazing. I have been telling everyone about this.”

Gina, 44, said why she wanted to work with Waitrose in front of house in catering.

“It just seemed such a good company to work for. They really look after the employees, or partners as they call them, I like the fact that we all have a stake in the company, we’re all treated equally.”

Gina, who used to work in the Bake House in Old Basing, added that she was “nervous but honoured” to open the store.

As customers made their way into the store the first item sold was an Orla Kiely sugar bowl.

Helen Ricketts from Rooksdown was the first customer to arrive in the Waitrose store looking for dinner.

The 51-year old oil and gas engineer said: “I’ve been excited about the new store opening. I have been here for 14 years and to go to a good supermarket means a lot. We used to the one in Newbury but now we come to this one.”

Anthony Godinho, was with his daughter Krystal and was the first customer in John Lewis.

A retired pharmacist from Hatch Warren, said: “It feels brilliant to be here. We couldn’t wait for it.”

Jamie Rodgers branch manager of Waitrose said how much he was looking forward to today.

He said: “It’s difficult to put into words. It’s a sense of pride.”

“I’m just looking around at the smiling faces. They’re ready to represent Waitrose and show you around.”

Ali Gilbert, branch manager of the John Lewis at home store said: “I’m very proud and extremely excited to be finally opening today.

She described her staff as “Team Basingstoke”. She said: “I think the partners that we have recruited have got a fabulous personality.”