SHOPPERS hoping to bag a bargain at Oxford's new charity superstore queued outside the Cowley behemoth yesterday morning to be some of the first through its doors.

Oxfam’s first supersized charity shop has packed hundreds of donated items into the18,500-sq ft warehouse at Oxford Business Park, with everything from fridges to the latest fashion spread across the space.

ALSO READ: Deputy leader of Oxford City Council 'deselected' by her own party

Tills were ringing throughout Saturday with many pulling shopping baskets on wheels piled high with finds.

One shopper whose basket was brimming with clothes was Alison Brindle from West Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

The 44-year-old said: "It's fantastic. I really like the way they've laid it out with the different sections. It doesn't feel cramped despite how many people are here today."

Louise Massarello, meanwhile, had driven all the way from Burghfield in Berkshire to visit the superstore.

ALSO READ: The Ivy Oxford Brasserie has picture window view

She said: "It's amazing. I've tried 22 things and kept nine of them. It's all really good quality and helps encourage people not to keep buying new clothes."

Speaking at a sneak preview for volunteers and organisers on Wednesday evening, Oxfam’s trading director Andrew Horton said the store, which is a first for the charity, was ‘better than I ever imagined’.

Oxford Mail:

He added: “We had always held this idea that we wanted it to be a real retail experience.”

Mr Horton called the superstore, which also includes a drive-through drop off for donations and cafe, as a ‘treasure trove’ which he hoped would also become a ‘community hub for Cowley’.

ALSO READ: Villagers sew for society next to A40

Community groups and social enterprises will be able to use dedicated meeting spaces, while interactive workshops, activities and talks will take place regularly in-store.

Oxford Mail:

Project manager Julie Neeve said the secondhand supermarket had taken seven weeks to set up. She added: “It’s amazing, we’ve been really blown away by the support we’ve received. The response so far has been great.”

The superstore will be open four days a week but will be accept donations every day.

As well as 11 jobs, the store has also created 150 volunteering roles. To find out more about volunteering visit oxfam.org.uk/superstore or email oxfordsuperstore@oxfam.org.uk.