A Wymondham woman marked her birthday in a very special way last weekend - by opening her own shop.

Kerri Notman flung open the doors to Leslie Terrance Home Gift and Garden Shop for the first time on Saturday, as she celebrated her 24th birthday.

With shelves stacked high with home decor and gifts, Miss Notman, of Poynt Close, hopes to become the latest in a string of successful independent traders.

'I had been thinking of opening a shop for years, but never got round to it because I'm quite young,' she said.

'I walked past it on Christmas Eve and called the owner - now I have a shop open.'

Previously a hairdressers', the former Wymondham High Academy pupil said she spent twelve-hour days tearing out the old fittings and putting her personal stamp on the shop.

And the business honours someone very special to Miss Notman - her beloved grandfather.

'I went to him with my business plan and he kept telling me to just do it. So one day I went to him and told him I was doing it - and that I wanted to name it after him,' she laughed.

She added: 'So far it's been really good actually. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful.

'A woman from the cafe down the street came up with cake, it's been really nice and it was a nice way to mark my birthday.'

In the future, Miss Notman said, some of the town's business owners plan to work together to bring more trade into the market town's centre.

For more information, pop into the shop on 1 Town Green or contact 01953 797160.

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