The Range has turned Ashford's empty John Lewis into its 203rd store – with a long queue of shoppers gathering outside the shop at 9am.

Staff have spent two weeks kitting out the two-storey unit which has a mini Iceland supermarket and an Iceland Cafe.

It comes almost exactly a year since John Lewis confirmed its 'At Home' store had closed for good.

Jo James, chief executive at the Sevington-based Kent Chamber of Commerce, says the arrival of The Range is “great news for Ashford”.

“It is certainly great this prime site has passed hands in a relatively short time,” she said.

“The Range is a popular store with many Ashford residents currently travelling to neighbouring towns to visit.

“The wide range of goods on offer by the store will make it an attractive place to shop and will no doubt be welcomed by residents, as well as attracting others from outside of the borough to visit.

“In many towns large retail outlets are tending to be left empty for some considerable time before a new owner is found, so it is great news for Ashford that the site will once again be part of the retail mix.

“It has certainly not been an easy time for retailers and for The Range to invest in Ashford while there is still uncertainty in the economy, they are obviously confident that they are making a sound investment and will be here for the long haul.”

Ashford MP Damian Green says he sees the opening “as a vote of confidence in the underlying strength of Ashford”.

“We should see this as a shaft of light in what is often a fairly gloomy outlook,” he said.

“I’m sure it will be packed out in the first few days.”

Hamstreet's Lisa Fishlock, 40, was one of the first shoppers to enter the store.

"I've never been in The Range before so I'm excited to see what it's like," Ms Fishlock said.

"My daughter just started working here so I'm here to support her.

"We're looking to get some school books and some art and craft stuff; maybe look at the gardening bits."

kmfm's Laura Crockett and the Street Team are by the entrance of the store offering customers the chance to win £250 worth of vouchers to spend on their next shop.

Kelly Ervin, 33, and Rachel Ervin, 29, came to The Range with three year old Rosie after doing the school run.

Kelly said: "We're just here to have a look.

"We go to Folkestone and Maidstone all the time and sometimes London.

"It's nice to finally have something in Ashford."

While the store is now up and running, the garden centre which was given approval by Ashford Borough Council last week, is yet to come.

Once built, the 464 sq m area will be at the side of the store taking up 16 parking spaces, reducing the overall total to 183.

However garden products and outdoor furniture are still on sale inside.

The founder of the budget chain has vowed to continue taking over shops abandoned by John Lewis, Debenhams and M&S across the country in the future.

The Range will be open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and between 10.30am and 4.30pm on Sundays.