Just got a bargain today- 4 x 70L bags of New Horizon peat-free for 8 quid! Last year's stock so might need a bit of feeding, but even so. Bad news is, it means they are not stocking it any more (Hayes Garen world in Leeds) as they are only stocking Westland composts. >:(
Caroline,
if the compost you have bought is 'old stock' .... not a problem.
I have sometimes found an Ammonia smell with older bags (e.g. the last two of my own from a previous year)
Empty a bag onto path or concrete and allow to breathe for a day or two, turn over once/twice per day. Or 1/2 bag into a wheelbarrow and turn Morning/Noon/Night for a couple of days. Then mix up a couple of Gallons of Phostrogen (4 teaspoons to 2 gall) and water the pile with a fine spray can.
Now ready to use as normal.
Mikey