Aldi to open this Thursday with promise of free fruit and veg for the first 30 customers

The Aldi sign rolls into town. Picture by Jane Kistnasamy

When Aldi opened its first Brighton store in London Road in 2009, shoppers queued from 5.30am – lured by the promise of golden tickets for the first 100 customers which gave them “the chance to win” a 26 inch television or other electrical items.

This time round, the opening offer isn’t worth quite so much – but people living in the area seem just as excited at the prospect of the discount retailer making a home on their doorstep.

The new store, which is opening in on the Pavilion Retail Estate in the unit formerly occupied by Halfords (which has taken a different unit), has also created 50 jobs.

The ribbon will be cut at 8am by Olympic bronze medallist, Anthony Ogogo, who won bronze for GB in the men’s Middleweight event at the London 2012 Olympics, helped by pupils from St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. Mr Ogogo will then head to the school for a special assembly.

The Lowestoft-born boxer said: “I can’t wait to visit Brighton and meet some excited seaside shoppers. Aldi makes it so easy for Team GB athletes to stock up on healthy, fresh foods through the vouchers it provides us with, so this is a fantastic opportunity for me to give a little something back.

“I’m really looking forward to my trip to St. Joseph’s, too. “Healthy eating and regular exercise is important for people of all ages, but developing positive habits from a young age is a great head start for all aspiring Olympic stars.”

Store Manager, Brian Hammond, added: “No doubt this will be a brilliant start for the Brighton store and we can’t wait to meet local shoppers over the coming weeks and months.”