AN EMPTY shop is being given a fresh start by a couple in Wickford.

Krunchy Karrot will sell “top quality” fruit and vegetables as well as eggs and the famous Tiptree jams.

Silvia Thompson, 35, and husband Pete, 37, who are behind the business are opening the shop on the site of the former Poundland Plus store, in the Willowdale Shopping Centre, off the High Road.

The couple, who have been running their own greengrocers shop in Surrey for the past nine years, decided to open Krunchy Karrot closer to home as they felt the town was lacking a fresh produce shop. Silvia said: “This is going to be something different. It’s going to be more of a farmer’s shop than just a traditional greengrocers.

“We will be sourcing as much as we can from local farmers and suppliers and promoting the ‘best of British’ scheme.

“We wanted it to stand out, hence the unusual name and the eye-catching orange and purple paint which we have used to decorate the shop.”

The pair have put around £25,000 into decorating the shop, which has been empty for around 18 months since the Poundland store closed.

Silvia added: “I think Wickford is lacking a business like this.

“Most people get their fruit and vegetables in a supermarket because it tends to be cut price, but often the quality is just poor.

“We want to give people value for money.

“It’s also great to see an empty shop being filled once again. Wickford does need an economic boost.

“We have lived in Wickford for several years and have wanted to open up a local shop for some time.”

Silvia and Pete are organising a fun day to coincide with the opening of the shop on Saturday.

Silvia added: “We want to announce our arrival in style so we are organising a launch.”