EUROPE’S biggest baby superstore opened its doors in West Thurrock creating 167 jobs.

Kiddicare, in Lakeside Retail Park, Weston Avenue, has taken over the former Best Buy unit and is the brand’s flagship store, occupying 50,000 sq ft and stocking more than 3,800 products.

The store has in the region of 400 car seats on display and around 300 prams.

Among the many services on offer are an event room which can be booked free of charge for children’s parties, or mum and toddler groups, as well as a pushchair servicing area, a free personal shopping area, cafe, and a try before you buy pushchair track.

There’s a private area for breast feeding, free car seat fitting, and mummy-and-me toilets which include toilets big enough to fit buggies inside and a toilet for children who are toilet training.

The shop features cutting edge technology such as electronic shelf-edge labels to keep up with changing prices, and free Wi Fi.

Founder Elaine Weavers-Wright said community is a key focus for the store.

She said: “We’ve designed the store as a social ‘hub’ the Kiddicafé has big community tables and a play area so it’s the perfect place for mums and families to meet, drink great coffee, make new friends and share parenting tips.

“Our Event Room is dedicated to our customers and community.

“We’ll be hosting a number of events for mums.”

CEO Scott Weavers-Wright added: “After the hugely successful launch of Kiddicare stores in Merry Hill and Nottingham it’s fantastic to launch Kiddicare Lakeside, bringing the WOW Kiddicare experience to Thurrock.

“Expect truly world-class shopping – hi-tech retail theatre anchored with a great customer proposition: brilliant product range, unbeatable prices and outstanding customer service.”

The store was officially opened on Wednesday, December 12, by mum of two Liz Cherry from Southend.

She won a Facebook competition and £500 of Kiddicare vouchers.