We get a sneak peek inside Wigan’s new Aldi store - set to open next month - and reveal what is to replace the old one nearby

The final countdown has begun to the launch of a new discount supermarket close to Wigan town centre.

The interior of the new Aldi store on Frith Street is taking shape | Iconic Media Group

placeholder image — The interior of the new Aldi store on Frith Street is taking shape | Iconic Media Group

Frith Street, off the Saddle junction, is a hive of activity as dozens of contractors put the finishing touches to the interior and exterior of the latest Aldi to be built locally.

Company bosses announced today (Tuesday September 22) that the store is scheduled to open at 8am on Thursday October 8.

Completing work on the main entrance to the store | Iconic Media Group

It is being constructed to replace the older and smaller Aldi on Scot Lane which, Wigan Today can reveal, is to become a branch of no-frills health club PureGym.

Meanwhile work is also progressing apace with another Aldi outlet at Abbey Lakes, Orrell, which is also set to open before Christmas.

The new store will be run by Steven Leech, along with a team of 28 colleagues from the local community.

The front entrace to the new Aldi is taking shape | Iconic Media Group

As part of Aldi’s investment in local communities across the UK, company chiefs say the new outlet will offer more customers access to its high quality, low-price products.

Shelving and fridges are already in place ready for customers arriving on October 8 | Iconic Media Group

To celebrate the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Aldi, Mr Leech and his team will be joined by Paralympic gold medallist James Ball who will perform the all-important ribbon-cutting ceremony on the opening morning.

James will also give away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s famous Super 6 range to the first 30 customers in the queue.

Dozens of contractors are on site getting the exterior and car parking just right | Iconic Media Group

Mr Leech said: “We can’t wait to open the doors to the new store in Wigan.

“It’s set to be a special day and having Paralympic hero James Ball join us will make it a morning to remember.”

James added: “I’m so excited to be opening Aldi’s new store; it will be great to chat to customers and a lovely way for me to thank Aldi for its support of ParalympicsGB.”

Wigan Today was allowed on site to observe the continuing works.

Site manager Chris Rowe said that they were work from 7am to 7pm seven days a week to get the project finished on time.

PureGym is Britain’s largest gym chain. No planning permission has been required for the premises’ conversion from shopping to work-outs, but PureGym has applied for it to be open 24/7 like all its other outlets.