Aldi has announced that it’s looking to recruit hundreds of new apprentices right across the UK, and applications are now open.
The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket retailer has ambitious plans for 2024, and is hoping to welcome hundreds of new apprentices onto the team to form an integral part of those plans, as opportunities have now been made available across a wide of range of sectors within the company.
Apprenticeship roles are now open at Aldi stores – including several here in Greater Manchester – as well as in the buying and logistics sectors, and for HGV drivers too.
With the goal of 500 new apprentices before the year is out, successful applicants will have the chance to gain industry-recognised qualifications while they earn, and will also be eligible for a number of additional Aldi employee benefits too – including a range of shopping discounts, and the chance to take part in a ‘bike to work’ scheme.
There’s even a new mortgage advice option for apprentices too, where they can seek free mortgage advice and access mortgage education material, should they need it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Aldi is recruiting more than 500 new apprentices across the UK / Credit: Aldi
The call for 500 new apprentices is part of Aldi’s nationwide expansion drive.
Not only did the retailer create 6,000 new roles across the UK in total last year, but this apprenticeship recruitment drive also comes merely months after it opened up dozens of new roles at its Greater Manchester distribution centre.
ADVERTISEMENT
Aldi recently announced new pay rates for all store and warehouse colleagues, with some apprenticeship roles rising by up to 37%.
Store apprentices at Aldi can now earn £8.44 per hour in year one, which then rises to £11.83 per hour in year three, with paid breaks, while apprentices in logistics and driver roles can earn £10.96 and £14.13 per hour, respectively.
Applications for the coveted roles are now open / Credit: Aldi
Lisa Murphy, who is the Learning and Development Director at Aldi UK, says the retailer is on the lookout for “hardworking” and “driven” individuals to join the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
She continued: “By joining our apprenticeship scheme, individuals will become experts in their role and receive in-depth skills training at one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. The apprentices of today are the leaders of tomorrow, so we’re always on the hunt for more amazing individuals from all backgrounds to join our team.”
One of Manchester’s biggest vintage shops to close after a decade
Daisy Jackson
One of the biggest and best vintage shops in Manchester has announced its imminent closure.
Thrift Shop, which is part of the legendary Cow Vintage family, has said that the landlord of its store has ‘chosen not to renew our lease’.
The beloved vintage shop has been in its spot just off Piccadilly Gardens for a decade, with colourful rails stuffed with pre-loved denim, coats, dresses, accessories, and more.
Ahead of its closure this week, Thrift Shop has announced details of a major closing down sale, aiming to get rid of all its stock.
Initially touted as two for £10 on all thrift items, they’ve now slashed prices even further and are offering three items for £10.
That does exclude their ‘premium’ items, where you can snap up big labels like Carhartt and Levi’s.
Sharing the sad news of its closure online, Thrift Shop Manchester wrote: “We are gutted to announce the closure of beloved Manchester store.
Thrift Shop Manchester is throwing a huge closing down sale
“Last week we found out our landlord chose not to renew our lease after over ten years in this unit.
“To bid our farewell, we’re doing a MASSIVE closing down sale to get rid of all stock !!!! All Thrift items will be 2 for £10 until our last trading day on 30th May!!
“We’ve absolutely loved serving you for all these years, so long, farewell and, as always, get thrifty.”
In the comments, fellow independent retailer Thunder Egg – which just had to move out of its Oldham Street store (but is still in Afflecks) – commented: “So sorry to hear this, retail landlords in Manchester are absolutely in their sh*tbag era right now.”
Thrift Shop Manchester will close for good on Saturday 30 May.
Demolition and regeneration plans for former Manchester shopping centre to begin next month
Emily Sergeant
Plans to demolish and regenerate a former shopping centre in a Manchester suburb are set to kick off from next month.
Following planning approval at the end of 2025, major plans to transform the former Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre into a ‘thriving’ new destination to live and shop are set to commence with demolition in the next couple of weeks.
If you’re unfamiliar with the plans for the new Chorlton neighbourhood, they include 262 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, all with access to outdoor space through balconies and gardens, 53 affordable homes – with 49 of them being available for social rent – and around 3,500 sq metres of public open space with fully walkable routes and outdoor seating areas.
A mix of flexible retail spaces, including a new ‘Makers Yard’ suitable for smaller start-up businesses will also be included, alongside new tree planting.
Phase one of the project will involve the dismantling the former shopping centre and neighbouring Graeme House buildings.
According to developers, the first step will be to close the precinct car park at the end of this month, before new hoardings are installed around the site to close the area off to pedestrians and vehicles for safety reasons.
The demolition work is expected to begin in mid-June, and be completed by August.
Where possible, materials from the existing buildings will be reused during construction of the new neighbourhood in a bid to help reduce the number of vehicles needed to remove materials from the site.
“Demolition marks another major milestone for the project, which will completely transform the former shopping centre,” commented Georgina Lynch, who is the managing director at Manchester-based developers, PJ Livesey.
“Our demolition contractor will carefully manage any issues throughout the work, and we will continue to stay in regular contact with local residents and businesses as the demolition progresses.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th January 2024 
