Success is anticipated at a new shop which will be the only store in Sholden.

Sholden Village Store is on the corner of London Road and The Street and will be officially opened by the Mayor of Deal, Cllr David Cronk, today.

Owners Sylvia and Martin Sims are inviting people to a browse and taste session, sampling the local produce, like pies from Kentish Mayde and cheese from the Cheesemakers of Canterbury.

Mrs Sims said: “It’s a traditional local store. Our aim was to have a little bit of everything from milk, fresh bread and stamps to helium balloons and trophy engraving.

“We’re also licensed to sell alcohol so will have a small selection on spirits, wines and beers.”

The married couple of 28 years have lived in the village for 12 years. They’ve always felt Sholden needed a store and when the property – formerly Mars newsagents – came up for sale, they decided to buy it.

The shop was built in 1967 but ceased trading about 15 years ago.

Mrs Sims said: “Even though we were quite happy in our old house, also in The Street, we felt we were up for the challenge.

“It’s a traditional local store. Our aim was to have a little bit of everything from milk, fresh bread and stamps to helium balloons and trophy engraving..." - Sylvia Sims

“We bought the house in February and in nine months we’ve completely renovated it.

“We’ve given the whole building a new lease of life and brought the shop back to life.”

Keen to please, the couple sent a survey out to villagers asking what they’d like them to sell.

Mrs Sims said: “We felt that before we ordered stock in, we wanted to know what the local community would like.

“We sent out a survey to the whole of the village including the new Sholden Fields estate and the feedback has been phenomenal."

They have since created a ‘Sholden Village Store’ Facebook page which received more than 500 likes in two days.

They have also set up links with nearby residential homes and Sholden Primary School, whose pupils have made Christmas snowflakes to decorate the windows.

Mrs Sims is a group sales officer at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Mr Sims runs Godden’s dart and trophy shop in Herne.

Starting today, the store will be open from 6.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 7am until 1pm on Sundays.