New shop to open following closure of long-standing Dereham DIY and Hardware

Dereham DIY and Hardware had been open in the town for nearly four decades but after being put up for sale, has been bought out by Damon Harris, who has lived in the area for the last 20 years.

Mr Harris was supposed to take over the existing shop but failed to agree a lease with the landlord, so was forced to move elsewhere with the stock he has purchased.

The new shop, which will be called Harris Hardware, will open on 30 Market Place, next to Specsavers in the town centre.

Mr Harris said: 'We don't want to change too much about the shop. We want people to be able to come and buy one nut or one bolt.

Harris Hardware will take over from Dereham DIY and Hardware and will open at 30 Market Place, next to Specsavers. Picture: Dan Bennett (Image: Archant)

'People have said to us, don't change too much. We literally just want to carry things on.

'We originally wanted to just take the business over. We were hoping to open by early November but that's not going to happen with the way things are as there's a lot of work to do.'

Mr Harris will run the new shop with his family and spent his career in property maintenance.

He hopes to have it open by late November or early December and said it felt like the right step for him to take.

After nearly four decades, Dereham DIY and Hardware has closed but will be replaced by a new shop, Harris Hardware. Picture: Dan Bennett (Image: Archant)

He added: 'It just seemed that when it went up for sale it was a perfect progression for me. I have the same sort of knowledge as the previous owner who always knew what someone was after.

'The sale has been ongoing for the last few months. We wanted to open sooner but reality has hit home, it's taken three weeks just to take stuff off shelves and put it in boxes.

'We're hoping to have a nice traditional wooden sign out the front. We are hoping to keep the existing trade and attract some new trade from people coming out of Cherry Tree car park as well.'

An opening date for Harris Hardware will be confirmed in the near future.

Harris Hardware will take over from Dereham DIY and Hardware and will open at 30 Market Place, next to Specsavers. Picture: Dan Bennett (Image: Archant)