Aldi opens store on Portrack Lane in Stockton next to B&M

Staff and Team GB rugby athlete Sam Cross gathered at the supermarket giant's new Stockton store on Portrack Lane at 8am to cut the ribbon of the shop and welcome its first shoppers. 

The Portrack Lane store is the newest Aldi to open in Stockton and will be run by store manager Naimh Redmond, along with a team of 30 colleagues from the local community.

Aldi staff at its new Stockton branch with Team GB's Sam Cross (Image: ALDI)

Team GB silver medallist Sam Cross gave away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s famous Super 6 range to the first 30 customers in the queue.

Mr Cross will also deliver an inspirational virtual assembly for pupils at Tilery Primary School as part of the supermarket’s initiative, Get Set to Eat Fresh.

The silver medallist from Rio 2016 will focus on the benefits of eating healthy food and the importance of exercise and believing in yourself.

Sam Cross cutting the Aldi opening tape (Image: ALDI)

He will also talk to pupils about his experience of competing as an Olympian and share his challenging training regime.

Aldi Portrack Lane also offered pupils at Tilery Primary School the opportunity to win a £20 gift voucher to spend at the new store.

Aldi's Stockton store on Portrack Lane (Image: ALDI)

The children were tasked with creating a poster to show what healthy eating means to them.

Mr Cross will announce the winner during the assembly and the pupil will be presented with their £20 voucher.

Ms Redmond said: “It’s been a wonderful morning here at the opening of Aldi Portrack Lane. 

Store manager Niamh Redmond with Team GB athlete Sam Cross (Image: ALDI)

"It was lovely to welcome our new customers into the store, and I look forward to meeting more of the community in the coming weeks. I’m also thrilled that we’ve been able to support Tilery Primary School through our partnership with Team GB.”

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Mr Cross added: “I’ve had a fantastic time opening the new Aldi this morning. It was an honour to officially open the store and welcome customers inside for the first time.

“I am looking forward to speaking with the children at Tilery Primary School about the importance of eating healthily and how it can be fun to plan and prepare meals as a family. Hopefully I will inspire the pupils to keep active and try different sports.”

The new Aldi store is calling on local charities and food banks in Stockton to register with Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that links businesses to charitable organisations in the local community.