The new Co-operative food store, which is part of Anglia Co-operative Society, opened its doors at 8am in the newly refurbished Orton Gate Shopping Centre, in Peterborough.

Customers waited eagerly outside the store ready for it to open, with the first lucky 30 customers recieving a bag full of fair-trade products.

London-based steel band, Solid Steel, were on hand to entertain the crowds, with children were kept busy by a balloon modeller and the Fairy Godmother from the Key Theatre's upcoming Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

The official opening was held at 10am when chief executive John Chillcott, chairwoman of the board Jean Humphreys and store manager Stuart Mott cut the ribbon to signal the re-emergence of the troubled shopping complex.

Anglia Co-operative had previously abandoned the centre seven years ago, but has now returned to give the area a boost – including the creation of 75 new jobs.

Chief executive John Chillcott said: "It was great to see the centre buzzing with people today at the launch of the new food store.

"The crowds reflect the need for a full range supermarket at the Ortongate centre and Anglia Co-operative are proud to be back in business there.

"I am looking forward to the other retailers opening and the completion of the refurbishment over the next couple of months.

"The Orton centre will be a real destination for great range and value and Anglia Co-op will play its part in delivering that offer."

The £10 million revamp of Orton Gate Shopping Centre is set to be completed by Christmas. The supermarket is the latest business to begin trading at the revamped centre, with a NatWest bank and a Lloyds Pharmacy opening in the last few weeks.

Building work is still ongoing elsewhere in the centre, with a Wilkinson household store, a bookmaker's, a newsagent, a furniture store, a Scope charity shop and a café still to come.

About a third of the centre's 40 units are already let, and talks are taking place with retailers about several of the others.