Shopping

Aldi reveals where 12 new stores will open before Christmas – and two are in Greater Manchester

It's part of the supermarket retailer's ongoing UK-wide expansion plans.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 19th October 2023

Aldi has revealed the 12 UK locations where new stores will open their doors before Christmas as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

And it’s good news for budget shoppers in two Greater Manchester towns.

Fresh off the back of opening its milestone 1,000th UK branch in Woking last month, Aldi has now published a list of 12 locations nationwide where it will be opening brand-new stores before the end of 2023.

Part of the supermarket retailer‘s nationwide expansion plans of opening an average of one new store a week, every week, before Christmas is here, also adding to the long-term target of having a total of 1,500 stores serving in the UK, the Greater Manchester town of Oldham is set to get itself two new Aldi stores in the coming weeks.

Aldi revealed where 12 new stores will open in the UK before Christmas / Credit: Aldi

One of them, on Lees Road in the busy Lees area of the town, is even set to open its doors this month – with another on Broadway Green in Chadderton coming before the new year.

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The locations of 12 new Aldi stores

  • Chip Lane, Taunton
  • Lees Road, Oldham
  • Pompey Centre Retail Park, Portsmouth
  • Portrack Lane, Stockton
  • Fforestfach Retail Park, Swansea
  • Farnborough Gate, Farnborough
  • Becket Way, West Bridgford
  • Causeway Park, Staines-upon-Thames
  • Gateway Retail Park, Reading
  • Alvis Retail Park, Coventry
  • Broadway Green, Chadderton
  • Westway Retail Park, Cumbernauld

Each new store opening will create around 40 new jobs on average.

Aldi currently has 1,000 UK stores and employs more than 36,000 people – with its starting pay for Store Assistants currently being an industry-leading £11.40 per hour nationally, and the retailer still remaining the only supermarket in the UK to offer paid breaks too.

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Each new store opening will create around 40 new jobs on average / Credit: Aldi

The news that Oldham’s set to get itself two new Aldi stores comes after the retailer launched a massive recruitment drive last month, and revealed that it’s looking for a whopping 3,000 new staff members, both temporary and permanent, to join its teams at stores right across the UK ready for the busy Christmas period.

And this was merely months after it opened up dozens of new roles at its Greater Manchester distribution centre in Bolton too.

“We’re welcoming more and more customers through our doors each week,” Aldi’s Real Estate Director, George Brown, explained, “Which is why we’re investing in new stores up and down the country to bring our great value groceries to even more people and meet the growing demand for Aldi.

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“Shoppers know they’ll always get more for their money when they shop with us, and we’re confident Aldi’s success will continue to grow.”

Featured Image – Aldi

Shopping

A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Christmas toy train Wigan

Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.

The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.

Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.

In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.

xmas train wigan
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)

All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.

Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.

This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.

So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.

This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.

festive events wigan
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.
wigan toy train
The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.
Credit: Supplied

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This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.

The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.

Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?

You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lee Boswell (supplied)

Shopping

Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.

As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.

Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.

To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.

Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied

Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.

There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.

As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.

If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.

There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.

With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.

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“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”

Featured Image – Supplied

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