Self-confessed "superfans" of an American donut and coffee chain queued for up to four hours despite the wet weather for the opening of a new store. Dunkin' Donuts has now opened its fourth store in Nottingham to the delight of sweet treat lovers.
Dunkin' Donuts is the latest business to open at Wilford Lane Retail Park. So far Cod's Scallops, PureGym and Lidl have already opened on the site alongside Starbucks and others. The ribbon was cut to mark the opening on a wet Saturday morning (June 18) alongside special guest Paws the Panther, mascot of the Nottingham Panthers.
The first 50 customers through the door after the official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am received a goodie bag and an exclusive card which entitles them to free hot and cold drinks for 30 days. One such keen customer was Mohammad Sulaiman Dutt who lives in Wilford.
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He had been queuing since 6am, four hours before the store opening at 10am, and said: "I like the donuts and the drinks.
"I was quite happy because I read the news in the Nottingham Post yesterday. I've been trying to cut down on sugar but I had to come today."
Anya Lane, of The Park Estate, described herself as a "Dunkin superfan". She said: "I had only started going because I had a store on the way to where I was going. I love it. It's really good here."
And Ian Powell, of West Bridgford, added: "The first time I tried Dunkin was in the states in Philadelphia. It was good. I'm always happy for donuts."
Dunkin' now has four stores across Nottingham including one in the Exchange Arcade, another in Alfreton Road and the third in Lady Bay Retail Park. Wilford Lane has now become its fourth store.
Store manager Luke Ellis, 29, of Woodthorpe, made the change from working as a chef to start at Dunkin. He said his journey to Dunkin had been a "massive change" but explained "it is probably the best group of people I've worked with."
"It is going really good. It's a bit of carnage but once we've found our feet it will be really good," he added.
Michael Johnstone, head of operations, explained Dunkin' had become more popular due to the quality of its beverages, including its coffee. He says there is perhaps a misconception when people think of the chain and that it does not just sell donuts.
He added: "Wherever it is it is clear we have an affinity [with Nottingham]. Our brand is elevating period over period."
