Cutting the Ribbon at 'Goldington Square' as Hundreds Queue for Opening of new Aldi Store

This morning I cut the ribbon at the opening of the New Aldi store, which completes the first phase of the redevelopment of the Church Lane Neighbourhood Centre, or rather 'Goldington Square,' as it has been renamed. It was a great event, with a real buzz about the place as a huge queue waited patiently for me to cut the ribbon in order that they could cross the threshold and get their first taste of the store!

Aldi were offering a golden ticket to the first one hundred shoppers through the door, with the ticket's number corresponding to prizes in the store today. One group of lads actually camped out overnight to be sure of their place at the head of the queue! Wimbledon eat your heart out! I chatted to them and told them that they had earned their prizes!

The new store looks great, and along with the new car park it has greatly improved the look and feel of the shopping area. The Aldi is the first phase of an overall development which will include a range of community facilities for the benefit of local residents. Phase one has shown that with the will and a commitment to partnership working, development can take place in the current economic climate. We will work with developers Coplan to help ensure that the regeneration of Godington Square is completed.