Country lifestyle clothing brand Joules brought a touch of the countryside into the centre of Bury St Edmunds today as it opened a new store.

Colourful model sheep “grazed” outside the unit taken by Joules within the Arc shopping centre, with the first 30 customers at the store receiving vouchers towards their purchases.

Joules has more than 60 stores around the UK with the Bury branch, which has created 10 new jobs, being its fourth in Suffolk, joining shops at Aldeburgh, Southwold and Jimmy’s Farm at Wherstead, near Ipswich.

The Joules store in Bury is part of a series of openings which will see the Arc centre fully occupied for the first time since it opened in March 2009.

Coffee chain Costa is expanding into the unit next door to its existing café and gift shop icandy has recently opened at the former Jane Norman store.

This Saturday is due to see the opening of a new-style 104-seat Burger King restaurant, showcasing a new design which includes digital menu boards.

And the two remaining units within the Arc centre are to be filled by Japanese restaurant chain Wagamama, taking over the former Jack Jones store, and national retailer Calendar Club which is moving into the unit opposite the Carluccio’s restaurant.

Other recent additions elsewhere in the town also include Cafe del Mar in St John’s Street, Voujon Indian restaurant in Mustow Street and a Nino’s childrenswear store in Abbeygate Street.