MORE than 300 people queued outside a new discount store in Cowley to pick up the best 99p bargains – including a 17-piece tea set.

The recession-busting 99p Stores chain opened a new branch today at Templars Square shopping centre in the former Woolworths unit, which has been empty since last Christmas.

Shoppers queued up outside the store before decorator Ian West, 53, cut the tape for the opening ceremony at 9am.

The father-of-one from Wood Farm Road was given a £5 voucher to spend and won an Apple iPod in a competition. Mr West said: “I’ve used the voucher to buy some toys for my grandchildren and some sweets for my daughter.

“I won the competition by recognising theme tunes from 1980s TV shows like Crossroads.

“You can get amazing value for money in this shop so I’m going to go round again to see what else I can find.

“I think this shop can only be a good thing for Templars Square shopping centre.”

There were 20 staff working at the Woolworths store, and there will be 30 full and part-time staff working at the 99p Stores shop.

Nadir Lelani, chief executive of the chain, said: “We started up in 2001 and now there are 108 stores across the country with an annual turnover of £250m a year.

“We sell household goods, gardening and beauty products, sweets and stationery. Everyone loves a bargain. That’s why we’re successful.”

Area manager Sushil Purushothaman added: “When there is a downturn, people look for a bargain and getting good value for known brands has always been the boss’s motto.”

The Cowley shop is the 99p Stores’ 42nd outlet to open this year and it is the 37th former Woolworths store to be taken over by the chain.

The Cowley store stocks 4,000 different items costing 99p or less. The chain also opened a shop in Witney in May, employing 30 staff.

Hundreds queued outside German discount store Aldi last month when it opened in Botley Road in Oxford.