Coronation Street star opens store

Coronation Street star Colson Smith opened a store in a village near Grantham recently.

The 20-year-old, who plays Craig Tinker, opened the Folkingham Store at 33 Market Place on Saturday, November 10, watched by a “good crowd” of villagers.

The store re-opened after being closed for several weeks for refurbishment under new tenants Naomi Watson Grant and partner Gemma Hunns.

The couple both quit their jobs to open the convenience store and sandwich bar, which until recently was tenanted and run by Colin Campbell.

The soap star, whom Gemma’s aunt Kathy Laxton previously met at a charity function, carried out the grand opening - and gave the staff a helping hand.

Kathy said Colson surprised customers by working behind the till and was “very friendly, chatting to young and old alike”. But he would not reveal any Coronation Street secrets.

Co-owners Gemma and Naomi told him that if his TV work dried up, he could go and work with them in the shop.

Colson later took the time to go across the road and surprise staff and residents at the Five Bells Residential Home.

Kathy added: “Many of the elderly had watched Coronation Street all their lives and they could not believe their eyes when one of the cast walked in!”