Shoppers love the new Aldi as Watford store finally opens

The budget chain finally opened its first store in Watford at 8am this morning - and for some it was worth the wait.

Aldi bosses celebrated the town's first branch with a ribbon cutting led by Olympic gold medallist rower Constantine Louloudis.

Rower Constantine Louloudis is joined by pupils from Watford Field School

Jennifer Batten-Phelps and Eleanor Ingis were in the line from around 7.20am, getting their hands on a complimentary 'super 6' fruit and veg gift bag

Excited bargain-hunters queued patiently before the doors in Century Park eventually opened to the public for the first time.

And for those we spoke to, they certainly seemed to love the new store.

Tony Weiss, who lives in Bushey, said: "I like the selection here, and it's good prices. It is not too big or sprawling - everything is nice and compact. I've been waiting for it to open and wondered why it had taken so long. I'm definitely coming back."

Tony Weiss

Gloria Shanahan, also from Bushey, said: "It's a really lovely shop, a nice layout. It's much cheaper than the other supermarkets. I'm excited Watford has an Aldi now. I've been wanting one for years."

Marie and Paul Graziano, from Watford, were impressed by how tidy and spacious the new store was and said they preferred this one to an Aldi they had visited in Hemel Hempstead.

Marie and Paul Graziano

Agnieszka Borger travelled from South Oxhey. She said: "I've visited Aldi's in Germany and Poland and this one is better. The store is really organised and clear and the prices are really good.

"I pass the store three times a day and have been wanting it to open. I'll be coming regularly."

Georga Carter, from Watford, said she arrived early to avoid the rush.

She added: "I've been keeping my eyes open as to when the store is open. Aldi is easy. I like the layout, it's nice and bright. The parking is good too. It's a really easy shopping experience."

The new store offers a ‘Food to Go’ section at the front of the store, a vast array of beers, wines, and spirits, and a section full of health & beauty products.

There is also a bakery and everything else you'd expect to find in a supermarket.

Customers can also take advantage of Aldi's Specialbuys which are available every Thursday and Sunday. This week, the store will be offering a selection of Valentine’s Day treats including, luxury candles from £3.49, Valentines cupcakes for 99p as well as, cards, gift bags and more, starting from 99p.

Store manager, Krystal Kilgannon said: "It’s been a fantastic morning here at our grand opening. It was lovely to meet our new customers and I look forward to meeting more of the community in the coming weeks. I’d also like to say a big thank you to the wonderful, Constantine Louloudis, for being a part of our celebrations."

The staff team at Aldi

Aldi is open Monday to Saturday 8am-10pm and on Sunday from 11am-5pm.

Aldi's store is a stones throwaway from Lidl which opened towards the end of 2019 on the corner of Lower High Street and Waterfields Way.