Shop fitters are busy filling the shelves in the new WHSmith in Dereham but an opening date has yet to be set.

The business on the High Street will be run by family team Philip and Maria Stow and their two sons Chris and James who moved up to Norfolk from Kent a year ago.

'We were hoping to open in June but have had various delays,' said Mr Stow who said they had looked over a wide area of the country for the right premises. 'We are still awaiting approval on the signage which won't be before November 17. But hopefully we will be open by Christmas.'

Mrs Stow has many years of experience in retail and elder son Chris has also worked for WHSmith before.

The shop will stock a wide range of WHSmith goods and is around 40 percent smaller than its standard stores. It will include books, school and office stationery, computer supplies, cards and wrap, envelopes and paper as well as newspapers and magazines.