Shopping in London no longer need break the bank
A brand new Aldi Local store has opened in Fulham Broadway Retail Centre, replacing the Wilko that previously stood there. Opening its doors at 8am today (Thursday, September 4), this is one of eight shiny new stores that Aldi plans to unveil in London this year as part of a £55 million investment inside the M25.
Olympic gold medallist Rory Gibbs even turned up for the ribbon cutting. The first 30 customers this morning were even gifted a free bag of fruit and veg from their Super 6 range.
Alas, I wasn’t one of them (curse my snooze button), but my mission remained the same. As a dedicated bargain hunter, it was my duty to investigate the brand new supermarket.
Once I had made it down the escalators descending into the store, I was immediately impressed by the organisation of the supermarket. Sparkling clean floors, and perfectly lined up juice bottles, made for an inviting environment for any Type-A shopper. The whole place was spotless and surprisingly chic for a bargain store, but then again, this is Fulham.
This shop has almost everything that you would usually expect from an Aldi supermarket. In line with Aldi’s title as ‘Which?’s cheapest supermarket’ , there are bargains to be found everywhere. From 39p spaghetti tins, to a £4.99 ‘wine of the week’ (an Animus Douro red), this store has options for everyone.
As well as the expected bargains, this supermarket is home to the confectionary criminal Cuthbert the Caterpillar, without whom no Aldi is complete without.
This store, however, is not like any other Aldi supermarket. Aside from its uniquely well organised aisles, it has its very own bakery, one comparable to the nationally beloved Lidl bakery.
Although the selection available is not as extensive as one you would find in Lidl, it is appreciated nonetheless. When Fulham residents are likely accustomed to spending a fiver in Gail’s whenever they want a sugar fix, Aldi’s 39p doughnut will provide a welcome change.
For research purposes, I grabbed one for my lunch, along with a £2.89 breakfast sandwich, which didn’t seem as much of a bargain, but is still 36p cheaper than Tesco’s equivalent.
As well as having its own bakery, this store also had a fridge section entirely dedicated to protein, complete with yoghurts, puddings, shakes, and more. Although this provided little excitement for me, I’m sure the unveiling of this new addition will be fabulous news for Fulham’s gym fanatics.
The store was incredibly busy. I could barely make it down an aisle without bumping elbows with someone clutching their shopping. I also overheard staff predicting that the store would only get busier, which bodes well for the new branch.
As well as a great number of shoppers, security guards also patrolled the aisles. Although this felt a tad excessive, I’m sure that the staff will be welcome for them when matchday at Stamford Bridge comes along, particularly given that this Aldi has been given a license to serve alcohol seven days a week.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I reached the self-service machines to pay for my lunch. I wouldn’t be subject to the usual race against the cashier throwing my shopping at me before I could even open my bag. This relief didn’t last long, however, as the weighing scales didn’t recognise my bakery goods, and I had to be rescued by a helpful shop attendant.
After that minor ordeal, it was time to head home. On my way out of the store, I spotted recycling bins and a proud sign declaring: “Our chiller doors save enough energy per year to make 4.6 million cups of tea.” This brought a smile to my face, and not only because of my love for trivia. It was nice to see that Aldi is making an effort to be greener. I’m all for a supermarket that can serve up eco-consciousness alongside a fun fact or two.
All in all, Fulham’s new Aldi is clean, bright, and brimming with bargains. In a part of London where a weekly shop can require a house remortgage, Aldi’s arrival feels like a breath of fresh, and affordable, air. With West London’s reputation for pricey groceries and the ongoing squeeze of the cost of living crisis, a 39p doughnut feels like a light at the end of the tunnel (or doughnut hole).
Stay up to date about London’s hottest events, latest restaurant openings, and best deals with our Going Out Out newsletter. Sign up HERE!
