Aldi opens latest Sussex store in Horsham

The shop in Tanbridge Retail Park in Horsham is the town’s first Aldi and officially welcomed customers through its doors yesterday morning.

ParalympicsGB cyclist Blaine Hunt cut the red ribbon alongside pupils from St John’s Catholic Primary School.

Blaine, who won silver in Paris, gave away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s super six range to the first 30 customers in the queue, before delivering an assembly for pupils at St John’s Catholic Primary School as part of the supermarket’s initiative, Get Set to Eat Fresh.

The new Aldi in Horsham (Image: © DAVID McHUGH/ UNP) The scheme focuses on educating children aged five to 14 years about the benefits of cooking fresh, healthy food with their families.

To celebrate the official partnership between Aldi and ParalympicsGB, Blaine in his assembly focused on the benefits of eating healthy food and the importance of exercise and believing in yourself. He also talked to pupils about his experience of competing as a Paralympian and shared his challenging training regime.

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Aldi Horsham also offered pupils at the school the opportunity to win a £20 gift voucher to spend at the new store. The children were tasked with creating a poster to show what healthy eating means to them. Blaine announced the winner during the assembly and the pupil was presented with their £20 voucher.

Blaine Hunt giving his assembly (Image: © DAVID McHUGH/ UNP) “I’ve had a fantastic time opening the new Aldi this morning,” said Blaine.

“It was an honour to officially open the store and welcome customers inside for the first time.

“It was great to speak with the children at St John’s Catholic 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 Aldi store, which is open 8am till 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am till 4pm on Sundays, is calling on charities and food banks in Horsham to register with Neighbourly, a community engagement platform that links businesses to charitable organisations in the local community.

Blaine with children from St John’s Catholic Primary School (Image: © DAVID McHUGH/ UNP)

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

Store manager Matt Williams said: “It’s been a wonderful morning here at the opening of Aldi Horsham. It was lovely to welcome our new customers into 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 St John’s Catholic Primary School through our partnership with ParalympicsGB.”

Customers at the store in Albion Way can expect fresh meat and produce, a food to go section, health and beauty products and the Aisle of Aldi where specialbuys will be available every Thursday and Sunday.