AN ethnic supermarket opened in North Harrow today sparking hopes it may help revive the area.

VB and Sons was flooded with eager shoppers as it launched the new store, in Pinner Road, at around midday and queues soon stretched back from its line of check outs.

Residents and traders have been calling for a major supermarket to open in the area ever since plans for one in the Gilbert Square housing estate, in Pinner Road, failed to materialise.

Some businesses have sought the help of local councillors and politicians turned out in force to welcome the proposals today.

Councillor James Bond (Independent/North Harrow) said: “We have to look on this store opening as a positive thing because we didn't want another large vacant empty frontage.

“When Allied Carpets departed the town that's what we were left with.”

Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of Harrow Council, said: “We hope the people who have come here will use the other shops as well. There's an excellent service in North Harrow, it's a fantastic place to shop.

“We are working with local traders and local councillors to see what we can do to freshen the place up and get it back on its feet again.”

The shop specialises in low cost, mainly Asian food, and is run by a local family with roots in Kenton.

Hitesh Nathwani, a member of the VB family, told the Harrow Times the diversity of the area had attracted the business.

He said: “We've been established for many years and the public were crying out for a store here. We believe in giving the best value products at the best value prices.

“I think a lot of people have come from other areas today. It's not just North Harrow but people from all around. The response we've had is that people are very happy that we've opened here.”