Aldi opens fifth store in Oldham with Team GB star

People were in attendance at 8am this morning at the new supermarket on Lydia Becker Way, with Team GB hockey player Sarah Jones cutting the ribbon.

Jones, who is from Wales and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, cut the ribbon alongside members of staff and St Luke's Church of England Primary School.

The first 30 customers at the shop were given complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s famous Super 6 range.

Jones said it was an "honour" to officially open up the store and that she had had a "fantastic" time. 

@theoldhamtimes A new Aldi store has opened in Oldham! The site on Lydia Becker Way in Chadderton is the fifth branch of the supermarket in the borough. #aldi #oldham #supermarket ♬ Exciting, exciting, cute songs(1283711) - Korepoi

The shop will be operated by around 30 staff, including store manager Tessa Atkinson and Marla Holder, who has worked for Aldi for 33 years.

Ms Atkinson said: "It's really exciting to open just before Christmas.

"The store looks really great, the team has worked really hard in getting everything done, I think everybody can see it looks amazing."

Store manager Tessa Atkinson, left, and Marla Holder, who has worked at Aldi for 33 years (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Atkinson said staff had been at the store since Friday (December 1) preparing for the opening.

Ms Holder, who has worked at several Aldi supermarkets across Greater Manchester, said she was "really excited" for the shop to open and that she still gets "a real buzz" from working at the German discount store.

The shop will be open between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Saturday and between 10am and 4pm on Sundays.

The new Aldi is found on Lydia Becker Way, Chadderton (Image: Newsquest)

Plans to build the new Aldi were approved in October last year despite objections from nearby residents, while plans to build a Costa drive-thru at the site were approved in August this year.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Jones headed to St Luke's where she delivered an assembly as part of Aldi's initiative, Get Set to Eat Fresh.

The store will have around 30 staff (Image: McCann PR)

During opening week, the store will be offering a range of gifts, including Horrible Science Kits for £12.99, Barbie Dream Room Maker Kitz for £9.99 and Hy-Pro footballs for £7.99.

The new Aldi is also calling on local charities and food banks in Chadderton to register with Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that links businesses to charitable organisations in the local community. 

Local charities that register will be able to collect surplus food and perishable products, such as fruit, vegetables and baked goods, seven days a week.