MORE than 200 people queued to see a “mum in a million” open a new Asda Living store in Oxford.
Mum-of-four Keilee Sharkey, from Blackbird Leys, cut the ribbon to the £2.2m store, at Templars Shopping Park, Cowley, on Friday.
Mrs Sharkey was crowned the shop’s Yummy Mummy VIP after being nominated by son Jae, 12, for being an “inspiration”.
Miss Sharkey, a dance teacher who suffers from Crohn’s disease, said: “I couldn’t believe it when Asda rang to say I had been chosen as a special local mum to open their new Living store, as I hadn’t even heard of the competition.”
She added: “When I realised my Jae had secretly nominated me, I was so touched and felt very emotional.”
She helped Oxford’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Alan Armitage, cut the ribbon watched by her husband Lee and children Jae, 12, Corey, nine, Ronni, six, and Bobbi-Ace, two.
She added: “My family mean the world to me, so it was an honour to come along with them all and open the store today. We’ll never forget it.
“The first thing I’m buying is a new hoover.”
The store is Asda’s first presence in the city and will sell clothing, homeware and furnishings.
Crowds of people flocked into the store and enjoyed a performance by the show choir from the nearby St Gregory the Great School.
Mr Armitage said: “I’m pleased to be able to open this new store and delighted that Oxford has been chosen for the first Asda Living store to open this year.
“I’m sure this will be a popular store for many local residents, as well as providing much-needed jobs in the city.”
About 1,600 people applied for the 70 jobs in the store. It is the 26th of 150 Asda Living shops set to open over the next five years and occupies the former JJB Sport and Comet units at the retail park. The store also has its own baby adviser, Doris Durrant, to give advice to parents on the best products.
Store manager Mike Doidge said: “I would like to thank all our colleagues for their hard work getting ready for the opening.
“Our feet haven’t touched the ground but there’s such a buzz among colleagues.”
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