A NEW garage, food store and cafe has been packed with customers since it opened, taking even the manager by surprise as he promises pump prices to rival the supermarkets.

The new £1 million BP M&S opened in Lower Wick, Worcester today (Wednesday) and proved an instant hit with customers.

The business, which includes a Wild Bean Cafe, was officially opened by the mayor of Worcester, Cllr Roger Knight, at 4pm when he cut the yellow ribbon.

The BP M&S received a steady stream of customers from the moment it opened the doors to customers at 9am.

The BP M&S will have 20 employees and all but one member of the staff are from Worcester, some from the St John's and Lower Wick area where the business is based.

The garage, which replaces the old BP garage, has eight pumps. Unleaded was selling at 115.9p per litre and diesel was selling at 120.9p per litre today (Wednesday).

Store manager Tony Berry said: "I'm hoping prices will be more or less in line with the supermarkets.

"I have been very surprised by how busy it has been. We took the barriers down at 9am this morning and within five minutes maximum we had a forecourt full of cars and a shop full of customers.

"The day has literally gone from strength to strength, particularly at lunchtime. It has not stopped. It has surpassed expectations."

He said customers from Malvern Gate and the nearby industrial estate (Weir Lane) has been making use of services.

The business is served by six parking bays and one disabled bay and also has a cashpoint. Customers were given bags for life and vouchers. The BP M&S will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The entrances are from Malvern Road and Bromwich Road with the exit onto the roundabout.

Cllr Knight, who enjoyed a complimentary cup of coffee with his wife Freda, said: "I'm delighted to see the BP M&S opening here in Lower Wick.

"It is great to see a good quality brand not only establishing themselves but expanding in Worcester and increasing their presence.

"This is really good for the area and brings in trade. It will create jobs. It already has created jobs. Great brands like this in Worcester reaffirm Worcester's strategic position in the West Midlands."

Cllr Knight said he had also heard from people who live nearby that the work had been handled well with minimum disruption to neighbours which had been noticed and was appreciated.

Helen Hackett, aged 57, who grew up in Worcester but now lives in Witney in Oxfordshire, welcomed the opening.

She said her mother Mavis Lewis of Bromyard Road, St John's, Worcester, could now get to the store on her mobility scooter rather than having to travel on the bus into Worcester city centre or Malvern to use an M&S.

She said: "I think it's lovely. I always like to see the M&S displays. The pump I used was so easy and the display was easy to read. I will be coming here regularly.

"This has always been my regular garage. I go backwards and forwards to see my mother in St John's.

"I missed a garage not being here. I like the BP garage. Nectar points are always a good thing. I will also be stopping off for bits and pieces."

A sister store which is even bigger is due to open in Worcester Road, Droitwich on June 24. The store will employ 30 people.