WILKINSON, the value home and garden retailer, is set to raise the curtain on Thursday (November 19) at its latest store in Lowestoft.The new Wilkinson store, which is on Gordon Road, is just a stone's throw away from the Lowestoft's Marina Theatre, which has this year selected Cinderella for its annual Christmas pantomime.

WILKINSON, the value home and garden retailer, is set to raise the curtain on Thursday (November 19) at its latest store in Lowestoft.

The new Wilkinson store, which is on Gordon Road, is just a stone's throw away from the Lowestoft's Marina Theatre, which has this year selected Cinderella for its annual Christmas pantomime.

Opening at 9am, and to tie in with the start of the Christmas shopping season, Wilkinson will be adding a festive touch to its opening day celebrations by working with the Marina Theatre to bring a fun filled, panto themed launch event to Lowestoft.

To officially open the new store, Lowestoft Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Cherry, will be joined by TV celebrity, Dave Benson Phillips, who will be playing Buttons in the pantomime, at 9:00am for an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Once the doors have opened, the first 100 eager shoppers to enter the new store will be presented with a voucher entitling them to 2-4-1 pantomime tickets, worth �15 each. There will also be two family panto tickets (worth over �50 each) up for grabs on the day.

Wilkinson will also be sharing the celebration with Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Aid and Assist Project. The project provides a range of services to the local community, which includes repairing and recycling donated furniture to sell on at low cost, as well as property maintenance and gardening services for the elderly and disabled. Representatives from the charity have been invited along to the opening to collect a �250 donation of Wilkinson vouchers.

New store manager, Marek Mrotek, will also be joined by Wilkinson family director, Lisa Wilkinson and chief executive, Stuart Mitchell, to present Councillor Cherry with a cheque donation in support of his chosen charities.

A further donation of �250 will be made to East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), to help support local families who are caring for children with life-limiting conditions. Representatives from the charity's fundraising team will also be selling locally sourced cakes on the day, with all proceeds going to the charity

As well as tasty cakes and buns, Wilkinson's younger customers will also be able to enjoy entertainment from a balloon modeller who will be in store from 11.00am - 2.00pm. The family fun will continue on Saturday 21st too, when free face painting, sweets and balloons will be available, as well as vouchers to gain a �3 discount on pantomime tickets.

Mr Mrotek said: 'It has been fantastic to start getting to know Lowestoft's many worthwhile community groups and organisations. I would particularly like to thank Marina theatre manager, Martin Halliday, for his support and would like to take this opportunity to invite all of the residents of Lowestoft along to our pantomime themed opening day.'

Wilkinson sells more than 25,000 product lines and its high quality low-priced essential everyday products for all the family include kitchenware, household disposables, DIY decoration, food, confectionery and seasonal goods.

Still a family owned firm after 75 years of trading, Wilkinson is committed to Britain's high streets and is an active supporter of local charities, community groups and care organisations.