THE former Woolworths store in Wisbech Market Place is being reopened next week by the national retail chain 99p Stores – bringing 30 new jobs to the town. And police have already been put on alert, ready to control the expected crowds at the opening cere

THE former Woolworths store in Wisbech Market Place is being reopened next week by the national retail chain 99p Stores - bringing 30 new jobs to the town.

And police have already been put on alert, ready to control the expected crowds at the opening ceremony.

The store is currently recruiting 30 new staff to run the discount business, which is due to open for business next Friday at 9am.

"This is one of our biggest projects, we are very much looking forward to coming into the town," said stores promoter Graham Barnes.

"Since the beginning of the year we have been moving into former Woolworths stores. We are currently opening two shops each week, this is our 103rd store, and our first in Cambridgeshire."

When 99p Stores have opened in other locations, queues have formed from 6am, said Mr Barnes.

He said a "friendly police presence" is being requested by store bosses, for "crowd control" purposes.

The burgeoning bargain 99p Stores business has taken the UK by storm, but in Stroud, Gloucestershire, a campaign was run to stop the shop opening.

"Woolworths started out as a six pence shop and with everything at one price, we are the 21st century version of this," said co-founder Hussein Lalani.

"We feel proud to take over the mantle and consider ourselves custodians of the Woolworths brand."

Early shoppers at the Wisbech store have been promised the chance to buy 17-piece tea sets and freeview boxes for 99p. The first paying 500 customers will receive a large chocolate bar.

Leader of Wisbech Town Council David Oliver said: "We very much welcome new jobs in the town. The new store will fill a vacant property, and that is really good, especially as the shop is such a prominent building.

"Being a discount store is what some people will be concerned about, but it is important that the premises are filled, closing a big gap in the Market Place.

"Perhaps we would have liked something different there, but with the climate as it is, it is a store that will be used a lot.

"Hopefully to new store will become as popular as other stores in the town."

• ONE lucky reader will win a 99-second trolley dash around the new 99p Store, before cutting a ribbon at the official opening.

To be in with a chance of becoming a VIP - a Very Important Pennysaver - for the day, just explain "Why I love a bargain," in nine or fewer words.

The winner will be invited to drink a toast from a 99p champagne flute, and then dash around the store to scoop as many single items as they can in the allotted time.

Entries can be sent by e-mail to wisbech@gbpublicityltd.com; or paper entries can be sent to the Trolley Dash Comp, Wisbech Standard, at 51 High Street, March, PE15 9JJ, entries close at midnight on Tuesday 1 September.