A community food store in Oakham where colleagues have been going above and beyond to support locals during these uncertain times has been given a fresh new look following an investment of almost £123,000.

The Central England Co-op in Braunston Road, has received a raft of updates to give it a fresher, lighter feel and to include several new ranges and features to boost its offering to the local community.

This follows the store's colleagues working around the clock to ensure vulnerable people across the community have continued to have access to vital food and essentials through the Coronavirus pandemic.

The community food store has been undergoing a makeover in recent weeks with changes including:

An updated product range to better reflect customers' requirements including:

• An improved food to go section

• New internal signage and decoration including a refreshed kiosk area

• External work to extend and improve a pathway to the side of store following feedback from customers

Store Manager Chris Barker said: "We are delighted about having this investment in the store and it has been a real morale boost for everyone. The team have been really positive through everything during the pandemic, so this is a great reward for them.

"We have had some great feedback already from our customers who are saying the store looks bigger and fresher and a bit more upmarket.

"I'm also really happy that we've been able to include the improvements to the footpath at the side of the store as part of the works which I know our regular customers have been really keen to see done.

"I would like to thank the community for their patience while the work has been completed but I hope they agree with us that it has been worth it."

The Braunston Road Food Store is open every day 7am-10pm. The store has a wide range of products from everyday necessities to something a little more special and also offers a lifesaving defibrillator, cash machine, Collect Plus/Paypoint, Lottery, instore bakery and a customer car park.