Shoppers queue from 1.30am for opening of Wolverhampton's new Aldi
Hundreds of shoppers braved the chilly temperatures to be among the first inside a new supermarket in Wolverhampton today –- with some queuing throughout the night.
A queue of around 350 people snaked back from the new Aldi superstore, which has opened at the site of the former Matalan discount store in Howard Street.
To celebrate the opening Aldi handed out golden tickets to the first 100 people in the queue, with prizes up for grabs including 40ins HD TVs, digital cameras, sat navs and bags of groceries.
First in line was Carmen Smith from Parkfields, who arrived at 1.30am equipped with two chairs, a sleeping bag, a flask of coffee and a bag of food. "There were a couple of things I wanted to get so I thought if I came early enough I might be in with a chance of getting a ticket," said the 52-year-old. Mrs Smith left with a tablet for her grandson and one of the large TVs – a late Mother's Day gift for her mother Sarah."
She added: "It's all about economics really and it is fantastic I was able to pick up a couple of things for my family." Another early riser was Luke Webb from Wednesfield, who was also rewarded with a TV after starting his 18th birthday celebrations by standing outside Aldi for six and a half hours.
The opening has created 40 new jobs.
