A husband-and-wife team can’t wait to show off their expanded corner shop to customers at the end of the month.

John and Jean Fleet, who have run the Emneth Spar shop for 15 years, secured funding to almost double the shop size. They have refurbished the shop, making it brighter and lighter, and installed a system for the in-store chillers to reduce electricity consumption by a third.

The improved shop, which has remained open throughout the 14-week building programme, will be officially unveiled on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31) between 11am and 2pm.

The ribbon will be cut by 95-year-old Second World War veteran Bill Barnes, who is one of the shop’s oldest customers.

The day will include food and wine tastings, face painting, balloon twisting, a DJ, free coffee and tea.

At the official unveiling, donations will be welcome to help raise money for Evelyn Rust-Dilnot, a four-year-old girl whose family are trying to raise £7,000 for a sensory room.

At four months old, Evelyn was diagnosed with microcephaly, a rare neurological condition that affects the growth and development of the brain.

Mrs Fleet said: “About six years ago, we had a refit which made a world of difference and brightened it up and brought it to life. However, it was getting tired so we felt we should make use of a yard outside and increase the size of the shop.

“The response has been so positive – we should have done it years ago. People are saying it’s like a mini-supermarket.”