New store opens in refurbished shop

TWO years after purchasing the old Co-operative building in the town of Earl Shilton, the Dhami family has finally opened the store of their dreams.

The new Nisa Local store has been developed within the impressive 19th century building with the owners maintaining many of its original features to retain the authenticity of the premises.

Sukhi Dhami, who runs the newly refurbished store alongside his brother Arun and their parents Avtar and Harminder, said the family had coveted the building for several years but had to persuade the owner to sell it to them enabling them to realise their dream.

“Our family has lived in Earl Shilton for about 16 years and so we knew the building. It was quite run down and being used to store carpets and we knew we could make it into something special,” said Sukhi.

The building has been gutted and the original interior brickwork sandblasted back to bare brick and left exposed.

Historic photographs of the village have been erected in the entrance of the store, combined with modern features including a suspended ceiling, wood effect flooring and a variety of bold lighting to create a bespoke finish.

By adding a barista coffee shop and hot food to go on offer at the rear of the store, along with a beers, wines and spirits section, the family hope to have created something that stands out from the crowd.

“I did not want a store that everyone else has got,” explained Sukhi. “This is a really special building and it was important that we got it right for the town and offer them something different.”

Despite the fact there is a large Co-operative store just along the road from Sukhi’s, he says this did not deter the families investment in the building as he believes that his new Nisa Local will compliment it.

“Having the Co-op down the road didn’t put us off one bit.

“They have a great range and we are stocking lots of Co-op lines, but we offer something different.

“We are a family owned business, we live within the community and that’s our point of difference that we hope will bring people in.”