Thirty jobs have been created and fresh life has been given to a former pub in Thorpe St Andrew after it was re-opened as a supermarket.
Interested local residents gathered to see the opening of the former Millhouse pub in Laundry Lane this morning, which has now been converted into an East of England Co-op store.
The Millhouse had struggled for several years and gone through a succession of landlords in the last decade but was boarded up and fenced off at the start of this year.
Ever since the building has been refurbished in order to become a Co-op, which is now open for business.
Roger Grosvenor, executive officer for retail for the East of England Co-op, said: 'We don't just plan on building a successful and thriving business but also to become a core part of Thorpe St Andrew life.
'We want to build co-operative relationships with the people, businesses and groups to help support and develop this local community.'
The store is the 37th East of England Co-op store in Norfolk and one of over 200 in the region. It is also the first to feature the company's new branding.
An opening ceremony was held this morning, with Mr Grosvenor joined by Thorpe's mayor John Ward and the store's neighbours Susan and John Brand, who cut the ribbon to open the store.
The event included free tastings at a mini market and cookery demonstrations to showcase the fresh local produce from Norfolk suppliers which is available in the 4,200sqft store.
The store also stocks local products as part of the East of England Co-op's award-winning Sourced Locally initiative, including Gnaw Chocolate, Pasty Cutters pies and Linzers Bakery rolls.
'Supporting local producers is just one of the ways in which we take a different approach to business,' Mr Grosvenor continued.
'We've been local and independent for over 100 years and we're proud to have joined the Thorpe St Andrew community.
'As well as bringing a thriving business, new employment opportunities and the chance for new members to share in our profits, we will explore other ways in which we can support the wider community.
'We've already begun to build relationships with local community groups including the Mother's Union and Thorpe mother and toddler group, and will extend this to other groups.'
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