WORK to expand the Day-Today store in Wallyford is about to start, at a cost of more than £250,000, as the village braces itself for 2,000 new homes.

The Salters Road building will double in size to accommodate the local Post Office facility, as well as providing a Costa coffee outlet and a counter serving snacks such as baguettes and sandwiches.

An additional 15 full and part-time jobs will be created at the store, which currently employs 17 full and part-time members of staff.

Two employees will be trained to deal with customers on the Post Office counter.

Owner Mohammed Aslam said that the store would continue trading during the refurbishment project, which is expected to be completed before the end of June.

The 3,000sq ft sales area will increase to 6,000sq ft, on land currently used as a shop yard.

A new glass front entrance will also be created and Mr Aslam is in talks with the council over paying a share of the cost of upgrading the wall at the public car park outside his premises.

The Post Office counter will be open during the store’s hours from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Pardeep Moudgil, Wallyford postmaster for the last 27 years, has said that the Post Office wanted him to open longer but he could not provide this service at the village Post Office, which is situated 50 metres from the Day-Today.

A keen supporter of the annual Wallyford Gala, Mr Aslam supplies about 600 goody bags with sweets, crisps and juice for children on gala day.

This year, he is holding a raffle for bumper prizes of a 40-inch Sharp LED television and 26-inch men’s Ridge silver bicycle, which he has provided at a cost of £400.

He hopes to raise £1,000 for the gala, with raffle tickets selling well at the store.

The raffle will be drawn next Friday (March 10), attended by members of the gala committee. Derek Walker painters and decorators have also donated virtual reality goggles, an Android MX Pro TV box, and a litre of whisky.

“I am very happy to support the local community and wanted to do something more for the gala this year,” said Mr Aslam. “We love to do something for the children. It is the community which makes us successful and we wish to give something back.”

Councillor John Caldwell, ward member for Musselburgh East and Carberry on East Lothian Council, said: “Mohammed Aslam is once again making every effort in support of the annual Wallyford Gala Day. He should be commended for his contribution towards the success of the event, along with the magnificent support he gives to the Wallyford community since opening the shop.”