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Community set to benefit as excitement builds over opening of new Oldbury supermarket

Excitement is building ahead of the new Aldi store opening in Oldbury this week - and charities and food banks are set to benefit.

By Paul Jenkins
Published

Paralympic gold medalist Megan Richter from Birmingham will be on hand to cut the ribbon on Thursday (June 12) morning at the store at Oldbury Ringway and long queues are expected, with free fruit and and vegetables for the first 30 customers.

Aldi's Brierley Hill store which already takes part in the scheme with Neighbourly - Groups from Oldbury will have the chance to benefit from Thursday,
Aldi's Brierley Hill store which already takes part in the scheme with Neighbourly - Groups from Oldbury will have the chance to benefit from Thursday,

On Thursday Megan will give complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables to the first 30 customers in the queue. But they will have to be early, with the grand opening taking place at 8am.

Her appearance will celebrate the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Aldi, which is the official partner supermarket, and will continue to be until at least 2032.

But Aldi is also encouraging charities and community groups to get involved with the supermarket in the opening weeks, with surplus food and perishable items available to them seven days a week.

Successfully trialled in 24 stores, it has now been extended to every one in the UK, including the newest one in Oldbury, after teaming up with the community engagement platform Neighbourly.

Liz Fox, corporate responsibility director at Aldi UK and Ireland, said about the partnership: “We’re always looking for new and creative ways to increase the amount of food we are able to donate. This partnership is enabling us to distribute even more surplus stock, while supporting a vast range of good causes.

“Our aim is for fresh, healthy food to be accessible for everyone, and Neighbourly are helping us to extend this commitment beyond our affordable range of fresh products.”

Store manager Donna Galbraith, who will be one of 35 employees staffing the new store, said: “We can’t wait to open the doors to the new store in Oldbury Green and give out the fruit and vegetables to the early customers.

"Aldi aims to get fully involved in the community nationwide and the partnership with Neighbourly illustrates that so we would like to hear from food banks or community groups who would be eligible to benefit."

If you are a local charitable organisation or know of any that could benefit, you can contact Neighbourly via aldi@neighbourly.com.