Hundreds queue in rain as Bridgnorth Aldi opens

Hundreds of shoppers queued up in the pouring rain outside a new supermarket in Bridgnorth as it opened its doors today.

More than 250 people turned up for the opening of the store on the former Bridgnorth College site, including some who arrived before 5am. The first person to arrive was Jim Mills, who stopped off at the Aldi store on the way to his home in Bilston from Blackpool.

The cruise ship magician, who is planning to move to the Telford or Bridgnorth area, took his place at the front at 3.50am.

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He said he received emails from Aldi about the opening and so decided to go along.

The first 100 customers in the queue received a golden envelope with a ticket to win a prize.

And Mr Mills, 56, won the top prize – a 40in HD-ready television – saying he was 'chuffed to bits'.

The second person in the queue, Stuart Hamilton, 47, of The Grove, Bridgnorth arrived at 5am and won a satellite kit.

Currently 17 jobs have been created by the new supermarket in Stourbridge Road with about another six or seven people being recruited.

The store was officially opened at 8am by the Mayor of Bridgnorth Councillor Norman Cottrell.

He said: "I am very, very pleased to see Aldi here.

"The whole area brings back a lot of memories to me, it was my childhood playground. Hopefully, it will bring more jobs and revitalise this part of Bridgnorth. The supermarket is in the right part of town."

Store manager Richard Turner, of Sedgley, said: "It is nice to see that there has been a lot of local interest.

"Hopefully people who don't know us will come and shop here and see the quality of our produce. It will provide an economic boost for the town."

Bridgnorth councillor for Low Town, Christian Lea, who also queued, said: "I very much welcome Aldi coming to Bridgnorth and very pleased that they have chosen the town to open a new store.

"I think the new supermarket will give local shoppers much more choice in where they can shop. I am pleased to see that new jobs have been created.

"Hopefully it will encourage greater competition between the local food retailers."