Youngsters at St Anne's Primary School in Denton enjoyed playing a part in the official opening of a new store at Crownpoint Shopping Park, plus meeting an Olympic star.

Team GB Olympic Judo hero and silver medallist Gemma Gibbons officially cut the ribbon to declare the town’s new Aldi store open on Thursday morning (7 October). 

Pupils from the school were invited along to join Gemma for the ceremony and afterwards Gemma went on to deliver an inspirational assembly to the youngsters at the school.

The assembly was centred on helping young children to learn more about the benefits of eating healthily and based on the store’s Get Set to Eat Fresh initiative. 

The silver medallist from London 2012 focused on the benefits of eating healthy food and the importance of exercise and believing in yourself. She also talked to pupils about her experience of competing as an Olympian and shared her challenging training regime.

In addition, the store offered pupils the opportunity to win a £20 gift voucher to spend at the new store, tasking them with creating a poster to show what healthy eating means to them. 

Gemma announced the winner during the assembly and Year 4 pupil Alayah Walcott was presented with their £20 voucher.

Gemma said: “I’ve had a fantastic time opening the new Aldi and it was great to speak with the children at St Anne’s Primary School about the importance of eating healthily and how it can be fun to plan and prepare meals as a family. Hopefully I’ve also managed to inspire the pupils to keep active and try different sports.”

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

Local charities that register will be able to collect surplus food and perishable products, such as fruit, vegetables and baked goods, up to seven days a week. Any charities in the area that would like to partner up with the new Aldi store should email aldi@neighbourly.com.

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