Planning permission for the new store, which included demolishing the petrol filling station and adding more than 3,000 square feet of floor space to the shop’s north and east sides, was granted back in February.

The store, on Athens Way, was previously a Co-op location before closing last year on November 5, 2022.

It is understood the store will now be ready to open in time for Halloween, on Thursday, October 26.

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Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It’s good to finally get confirmation of their opening date.

“Aldi will provide local jobs and attract more people to come and shop in Lees, which has a lot to offer with some great independent shops nearby.

“I’m meeting with them soon, we really want to make sure they benefit from being in Lees but that we also get as much benefit for the local community from them being here too.

“It also makes getting my wife their mint chocolate to apologise when I have another evening meeting a lot easier.”

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Jobs still on offer

Jobs at the Aldi site are still being advertised.

Salaries range from £7.74 per hour for career starter apprentice roles to £13.50 per hour as a deputy manager.

Store assistant, stock assistant, and cleaner roles are also available, with salaries between £11.30 to £12.30 per hour.

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The store is expected to include 109 car parking spaces, including four electric vehicle charging spaces.

A total of 14 rain-covered cycle parking spaces, seven disabled car parking spaces, eight parent and child car parking spaces, and six motorcycle parking spaces are included in the plans.

It is understood that a cash machine will be available on-site, and the shop will permit parents to use the car park to pick up children from local primary schools, to ease pressure on adjacent streets.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Construction for our new Lees store is progressing well as we move towards opening in on 26th October this year.

“This will create up to 40 new jobs for the community and enable local people to shop and save closer to home.”

This article has been updated with a quote from an Aldi spokesperson.