Express & Star

Huge queue of eager shoppers awaited new Aldi opening

A huge crowd gathered outside Wolverhampton's newest Aldi store this morning - as the shop was officially opened by Olympic bronze medallist Sally Walton.

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Crowds gathered on the day

The Team GB hockey player happily cut the red ribbon to officially open the new Aldi store in Broad Gauge Way, opposite Royal Mail on Sun Street, at 8am.

And she was joined by nine-year-old schoolboy Thomas Evans - who helped her mark the grand opening.

The new Aldi

Along with staff, Sally also stood at the door to greet shoppers and give out complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables to the lucky first 30 customers in the queue.

The new supermarket will be run by store manager, Ashley Raybould, along with a team of 25 colleagues from the local area.

Store manager Ashley Raybould from Rowley Regis and Olympian Sally Walton open the store with Thomas Evans, age 9, from Willenhall

Manager Ashley Raybould, who lives in Rowley Regis, said: “It’s been a fantastic morning here at the store.

"It was lovely to meet our new customers and I look forward to meeting more of the community in the coming weeks. I’d also like to say a big thank you to the wonderful Sally for joining us.”

A queue formed outside the front of the shop

Sally Walton, who lives in Solihull but has family in Finchfield, added: "It’s been an honour to be a part of Aldi’s special day. I’ve had a great time talking to both the adults and children of Wolverhampton about healthy eating and my experience of the Olympics."

And mother of Willenhall schoolboy Thomas Evans, Katie, said cutting the ribbon made her little lad's year.

Deputy manager Rebecca Thorpe and shopper Carol Okwara

She said: "We were one of the first ones there as Thomas loves Aldi. So when he was picked out the queue he was just over the moon. It made his year."

The new store will offer large chillers and freezers full fresh, British meat products, a Food to Go section at the front of the store, beers, wines and spirits, and an exclusive section full of health and beauty products.