New Aldi opening date in Sutton Coldfield confirmed as finishing touches applied

A discount supermarket giant is opening a new shop in a Birmingham suburb and is set to spark ‘store wars’ as it takes on nearby rivals. Aldi is set to open its latest branch in Mere Green in Sutton Coldfield on the site of the old Waitrose in Belwell Lane, which had been there for 50 years.

Aldi will be welcoming customers to the new Sutton shop on Halloween - Thursday, October 31. The German chain will be hoping to ‘spook’ its near competitors, which include Lidl, Sainsbury’s and an M&S Foodhall. The store is purpose-built with the old Waitrose premises and neighbouring Atlas House, an office block which once had bar Flints on the ground floor, demolished.

The new shop is one of 17 new Aldis opening before the end of 2024 and is it looks to expand its UK shop footprint to 1,500. Another is set to open in the centre of Sutton Coldfield on land empty for decades off Brassington Avenue after some planning teething troubles.

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Workers are on site applying the finishing touches, with signage up outside and work taking place on the car park and front of the shop. And other workmen were seen inside, with shelving units being put in place.

Aldi said the new shop would be run by store manager, Alan Gilbert, ‘along with a team of 32 colleagues from the local community’. Some roles are still available at the Mere Green shop via Aldi's recruitment website.

Aldi in Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield - with he large Aldi logo on the side (pictured) is just weeks away from opening
Aldi in Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield is just weeks away from opening

In a statement, Aldi said: “The new store will offer more customers access to Aldi’s high quality, low-price products. It will offer fresh, British meat products with weekly offers, Aldi’s award-winning ‘Specially Selected’ range, exclusive beers, wines and spirits, and a ‘Food to Go’ section at the front of the store.

“Aldi’s legendary Specialbuys will also be available in the middle aisle every Thursday and Sunday, offering extraordinary value on a wide range of products, from electrical items to garden tools.”

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The store is set to be opened by Paralympic gold medallist, Nick Cummins, to mark Aldi’s partnership with ParalympicsGB. The 2020 Tokyo wheelchair rugby gold medallist will cut the ribbon and said: “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.”

Sore manager, Alan Gilbert, said: “We can’t wait to open the doors to the new store in Mere Green. It’s set to be a special day and having Paralympic hero Nick Cummins join us will make it a morning to remember.”

A banner has been placed outside the Aldi in Belwell Lane, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, confirming the Halloween - October 31  - opening date
A banner has been placed outside the Aldi in Belwell Lane, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, confirming the Halloween - October 31 - opening date

The new Aldi store is also calling on local charities and food banks in Sutton Coldfield 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, 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. The new shop will open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.