VODAFONE has opened a world-leading store in Swindon.

The communications giant yesterday unveiled the product of five weeks’ building work in the town centre, after contractors knocked through to the former Jessops unit which stood next to Vodafone in Canal Walk.

The store design is one of only four in the world modelled on the global design which will eventually be introduced to every retail space in the world.

The decision to triple the original store’s floorspace in Swindon was a response to the high demand which has been seen in the town.

New jobs have been created as a result of the renovations, with prospective applicants encouraged to access the careers section of the Vodafone website.

Alex Leonard, the store manager, said: “The majority of the customers have been blown away.

“The increase in size is a response to the regeneration which is going on at the top of town and with stores like BHS, which are all improving. We are just trying to keep up.

“All the handsets in the store are now live models. And we are actively encouraging customers to come in and play with them for 15 minutes. “It’s nothing like we have ever had before.

“There was a demand in Swindon that the previous site couldn’t cope with.”

Opening hours at the store will remain the same, from 9am until 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sunday.