The controversial Bureta supermarket that many people didn't want was officially opened today.

Mayor Stuart Crosby was on hand to open the new Countdown store this morning, along with three-year-old Wiremu le Comte, who is the face of the Countdown Kids Hospital appeal.

The face of Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Wiremu Le Comte, 3, from Kawerau, store manager James Liddell and Mayor Stuart Crosby cutting the ribbon.

Work on the $20 million development began this year after the Environment Court gave Progressive Enterprises the green light to build the 4620m2 supermarket, retail shops, liquor store and associated on-site parking at the intersection of Vale Street and Bureta road.

The decision in September last year ended months of mediation talks after the council originally rejected the consent in November 2012, due to noncomplying land use activity and traffic issues potentially created by the proposed supermarket.

Demolition of the existing building began in January and the base foundation prepared for the new supermarket.

Wiremu was born with a congenital deformity (club foot) and has undergone seven extensive operations at his local Bay of Plenty Hospital. He is now a regular user of a monitoring system purchased with the funds from previous Countdown Kids Hospital Appeals.

Store manager James Liddell says the best part about putting a store together is opening it up.

'It's about having all the new customers come through and recognising the people who have helped put it together,” he says.

'Other than great prices, it's about bringing the community together. We have lots of students that work in our store. You can get a career - personally I came to Countdown straight out of school.”

James adds that Countdown is a really community-orientated business.

'The best part is the engagement with customers,” he says.

The first few shoppers arrie at the new Coutndown store.