See inside Sunderland's new Aldi store as it opens to customers

The new Pennywell branch, on Chester Road, opened to customers at 8am on Thursday, June 11 with social distancing measures in place to keep both staff and shoppers safe.

Run by store manager Rikki Elliott, the shop also employs 29 colleagues and brought eight new jobs to the local community.

A number of shoppers were the first to browse the new Aldi store’s shelves on Thursday, as the doors opened for the first time.

Speaking ahead of the opening, store manager Rikki said: “We’re really looking forward to opening the new Aldi store here in Pennywell which will allow the local community to access the everyday essentials they need during this challenging time.

“It will be lovely to welcome customers to the new store and provide them with Aldi’s everyday amazing products.”

The store’s opening hours are from 8am until 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays.

Rikki and his team are also calling on local charities and foodbanks in the Pennywell area to use community engagement platform Neighbourly to link up with the supermarket, enabling the two to work together in partnership.

Linking together means that Aldi will be able to provide surplus food and perishables – including fruit, vegetables and baked goods – up to five days a week to charities who need support, especially during the testing times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Email [email protected] to put your organisation forward.

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