Within barely a mile of the Drayton Road Junction with Sweet Briar Road on the boundary of Norwich, something interesting is happening to the retail scene.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become FordStore. Work being carried out behind the sheets in the showroom. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBusseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become FordStore. Work being carried out behind the sheets in the showroom. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Iconic retailer Marks & Spencer has opened a Simply Food store at the Sweet Briar Retail Park, while coming soon nearby is a much hailed IKEA store - the first of its kind in the country.

It is a corner of the city where leading brands appear keen to innovate and drivers passing by may also have spotted changes taking place of late at the HQ of one of Norfolk's best known businesses.

On the corner of Whiffler Road and Boundary Road, work is underway which will lead to a transformation of the Busseys showroom.

Car manufacturer Ford has selected the family-run business, part of the EDP Top 100, to become a flagship FordStore.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become FordStore. The work has already been completed in this area which is being used as the temporary service reception. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBusseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become FordStore. The work has already been completed in this area which is being used as the temporary service reception. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Work is currently underway to make the changes to the showroom, which has been designed to maximise space.

And while it may look like a building site, the firm insisted that it was very much business as usual.

It is a significant investment and the changes mean that the company will exclusively sell in Norfolk the new iconic Mustang, Focus RS, and the new Ford premium range of Vignale vehicles. The dedicated Vignale lounge also includes individual expert sales and after sales contacts.

In addition to its state of the art new look, FordStores are the only outlet which provide a full range of Ford products and services.

Eastern Daily Press: Busseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become Ford Store. Work being carried out behind the sheets in the showroom. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBusseys at Whiffler Road is undergoing refurbishment to become Ford Store. Work being carried out behind the sheets in the showroom. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Paul Bussey, marketing director at Busseys, said it was an exciting time for the company, and he believed customers would enjoy the enlarged showroom, exclusive full product line up and the latest technology at their fingertips to help them make an informed choice in a relaxed, comfortable and friendly environment.

The changes are also likely to herald a recruitment drive for the business, and the firm is keen to hear from would-be staff interested in working at the new FordStore.

'We are delighted that Ford has chosen Busseys as one of their flagship 'FordStores',' he said. 'We have been a Ford Main Dealer in Norwich and Norfolk for 92 years now and once again Ford are doing what market leaders should – they are leading the way in innovation, both in regard to customer experience and the product itself.

'None of the improvements however will be at the expense of great customer service or the family business values of which we are truly proud of.'

Eastern Daily Press: An artist's impression of what the new Ikea store in Norwich will look like. Pic: Ikea.An artist's impression of what the new Ikea store in Norwich will look like. Pic: Ikea. (Image: Submitted)