Fans mourn because bargain supermarket with 1,000 stores has to close

FANS of a budget supermarket chain with more than 1,000 stores are devastated after a popular store is set to close within weeks.

Locals in Preston responded to the grief news calls the decision to close the store “depressing” – but there is also something positive news.

The Aldi on Corporation Street, Preston, is the latest store to announce its closure after a spokesperson confirmed the store will close in the spring of this year.

A local resident said on social media: 'At this rate are there any shops open in the city?

“When you walk around the city, all you see are empty stores, vape shops and phone case stores. It's depressing and embarrassing since we're supposed to be a city.”

After the closure was announced, a spokesperson for Aldi said: “We will share further updates with the local community in due course.”

However, Preston will gain an even bigger Aldi as a new store on Port Way will open the evening after the closure.

The exciting move will see the Trident Center office building on Port Way demolished and demolished to make way for the supermarket as a brand new retail space, split into two separate units.

The plans for the new double super retail space have been approved by the city council.

Aldi will stand proudly on one side, while a currently unnamed discount store will take up the rest of the space.

The new double unit will also have approximately 250 parking spaces off Port Way and a second space will be added off Channel Way.

Residents welcomed this new addition after years of 'chaos' on the roads around Corporation Street.

One said: “Good, maybe it will reduce some of the traffic chaos on Corporation Street.”

The two stores will create around 100 new full-time jobs for people in Preston.

Existing staff from the old Corporation Street store will also be given the opportunity to transfer to the new store and an additional 18 employees jobs up for grabs.

Speaking about the new recruits they are looking for, Kelly Stokes, HR director at Aldi, said: “We are looking around Preston for people with great people skills and the drive to grow in a role to be part of our successful team.

“Colleagues who thrive at Aldi have a can-do mentality, determination and a good dose of ambition.

“At Aldi, people are our purpose and we recognize the crucial role they play in making our business successful. We look forward to meeting many potential future candidates and accelerating the great growth we have achieved in the North.”

Earlier this week, the supermarket giant – famous for its fascinating middle aisle bargains – announced it is looking to recruit 500 apprentices across Britain by 2024 to work in its branches across the UK.

Another supermarket giant with 2,800 branches is about to close a store, causing shoppers a major loss.

The Tesco store in Canterbury city center is expected to close for over a month, leaving people fearing for their meal deals.

Several other major chains are also pulling down their shutters for the last time this month.

Lidl is closing its branch in Thornaby next one month after the bargain store confirmed its Stockton-on-Tees locations will close on February 29.

Jack Wills in Worcester announced it will close for good on January 30, after fan favorite Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over time. next one as part of plans to develop the brand.

Supermarket chain Co-op will pull down the shutters on its branch in Peacehaven, East Sussex, on January 20.

High street fashion chain Peacocks will also close a branch in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on January 25, and entertainment retailer HMV in Boston, Lincolnshire will disappear for good on January 27.

And the catering sector has also been hit: pubs such as Wetherspoons and restaurants such as Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito have closed their doors.