Buddhist monks wished prosperity and good luck on a new supermarket opening in Nottingham. The three monks, who came to the city from Loughborough, performed an hour-long ceremony, with chants and prayers, to bless Zaap Thai Market.
The store is just around the corner from Zaap's Thai restaurant in Bromley Place and is its first to open in the UK. Food from Thailand, including fresh fruit and vegetables and frozen goods are stocked, plus food to go and bubble tea.
While its customary for a ribbon to be cut to celebrate a new shop opening in the UK, it's traditional for Thai businesses to be blessed by monks. Invited guests were splashed with holy water and one of the monks drew an ancient script with his finger on the window of the shop, which used to be Lifestyle Express convenience store in Upper Parliament Street.
