Hundreds of excited shoppers queued along Market Street to get first look at Manchester's new Uniqlo clothing store

Hundreds of excited shoppers queued along Market Street this morning to get a first look at the new Uniqlo clothing store.

Around 200 people were waiting outside the shop before it opened at 9am on Thursday.

Shoppers were eager to get inside the Japanese clothing store - the only UK shop outside of London.

It takes the place of the former BHS site in the Arndale on Market Street.

Uniqlo had traditional Japanese Taiko drummers on hand to entertain shoppers while they waited for it to open.

The M.E.N spoke some people in the queue.

Linny and Jennifer said: "It's very nice, it's all a bit different, you know?

"They've got unique stuff and the clothes are very long-lasting - we want to be pictured to tell our friends to come!"

Linny and Jennifer outside the new store (Manchester Evening News)

Sandra and Kate came to see the shop this morning.

Kate said: "There's a very up to date utilitarian variety of well styled but practically simplistic clothes that you would expect in any modern shop.

"One thing I would say is at the moment there's not so many children's clothes it could so with more but for the the adults it's really nice colour and material, really nice linen and wool," she added.

Sandra and Kate think it could do with some more children's clothing, but think the adult selection is really good (Manchester Evening News)

Helen has spent some time in Japan so used to visit the Uniqlo store over there.

She said: "It's like Japanese Primark but the quality is really good."

Helen said has spent some time in Japan and used to visit the Uniqlo store there (Manchester Evening News)

Students Nathan and Harry said the store was like a 'better quality H&M' and that they'd be returning once their student loans came in.

Students Nathan and Harry said it was like a 'better quality H&M' (Manchester Evening News)

Taku Morkiawa, EU CEO of Uniqlo, said that their brand LifeWear is the 'perfect fit for a stylish Manchester'.

He added: "This will be our first store in the North of the UK and we chose Manchester because we know it's ready for our lifewear philosophy.

"Mancunions love to look good so they'll appreciate our classic style.

"They also love to think outside the box, so they'll enjoy our innovative approach to fabrics, cuts, and colours."

Rival to H&M and Primark, the shop sells clothing for women, men and children.

To celebrate the stores opening, Uniqlo will team up with Manchester artists to create visual and audio projects inside the shop.