Aldi is on the hunt for new store locations in Edinburgh as part of its rapid expansion drive.The priority areas where it is looking include Bonnyrigg and Drylaw.
Aldi, which already has more than 960 stores across the UK, is looking for freehold town-centre or edge-of-town sites that are around 1.5 acres.
Each site should be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq foot store with around 100 parking spaces. Ideally the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.
The UK’s fifth-largest supermarket even offers a finder’s fee for people who recommend a site, including members of the public – which is either 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites.
George Brown, National Property Director at Aldi UK, said: “By opening more Aldi stores, we can provide affordable, high-quality food to even more people.
“But despite our growth in recent years, some people still don’t have access to a local store, which is why it is our mission to continue on with our ambitious plans and change that.
“Our finder’s fee is available to anyone who can find Aldi an appropriate site so we’d encourage people to share any suitable suggestions and get it touch.”
Morrisons Introduces Evening Meals for Under a Fiver in its Cafés
– Customers can get an evening meal and a drink for just £4.99 –
– Menu rotates each day and includes roast chicken, a British beef burger and the ultimate fish & chips –
– Kids eat free so a family of four can enjoy a meal for under £10 –
Morrisons is introducing a ‘meal of the day’ for under a fiver to its cafés nationwide. Every weekday from 3pm, a ‘Daily Special’ will be discounted, offering a saving of up to £3.89 on the individual product price.
The meal on offer will rotate each day and customers can choose from British roast chicken served with chips and coleslaw, a hearty chicken tikka masala, a 9-piece breakfast brunch, a succulent British cheeseburger served with chips and coleslaw and the ultimate beer-battered fish and chips. The offer includes a drink and vegetarian alternatives are also available.
Each of these Morrisons classics will be priced at just £4.99, making them cheaper than the same evening meals at Wetherspoons, Harvester and Beefeater.
What’s more, kids can now eat free all day with the purchase of any adult meal meaning a family of four can enjoy a meal out together for just £9.98.
Ali Lyons, Head of Morrisons Cafés, says: “We know how hard it is for our customers at the moment and we want to make sure they are still able to enjoy a meal out, even on a budget.
“We’ve handpicked these favourites so that no matter what day it is, our customers can enjoy a saving.”
Morrisons £4.99 offer will be available in its 406 cafés nationwide after 3pm every weekday.
The ‘Daily Specials’ on offer are:
Monday
· Roast Chicken served with Chips & Coleslaw or· Cheese & Onion Quiche served with Chips & Coleslaw
Tuesday
· Chicken Tikka Masala or· Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Wednesday
· Breakfast Brunch or· Full Vegetarian Breakfast
Thursday
· Cheeseburger served with Chips & Coleslaw or· Vegetarian burger served with Chips & Coleslaw
– New tree experts will provide guidance on which trees to plant and where to plant them to improve sustainability, soil health and farm productivity –
– Move will also help farmers unlock government funding and grants and to make income from their tree schemes –
Morrisons has employed a team of ‘Tree Advisors’ who will give specialist advice to UK farmers on the best species of trees to plant, where to plant them and how to manage their woodland – to have the best environmental effect without impacting upon their farm business.
The Tree Advisors will work with Morrisons network of 3,000 farmers to plant the right tree species in the right place for the right reasons, to gain government and grant funding to cover their costs, and to bring in additional income from their woodland projects.
The initiative, in partnership with Natural England and the Forestry Commission, forms part of Morrisons plan to become directly supplied by net zero British farms by 2030 and net zero for emissions by 2040. Farmers at Morrisons 50 net zero blueprint farms will be the first to be offered access to the scheme, which will be rolled out more widely in the coming months.
UK agriculture currently accounts for 10 per cent of all UK greenhouse gas emissions. Trees and woodlands are a key part of farming sustainably as they can store carbon, limit soil erosion, prevent flooding, control erosion on watercourses and help provide habitats for wildlife.
New government targets have outlined that approximately 7,000 hectares of woodlands should be planted by 2024.
Winter storms across the UK have contributed to the felling of millions of trees. It is anticipated that Storm Arwen in November 2021 led to the loss of 8 million trees over 4,000 hectares.
In 2019, the Government launched the Woodland Carbon Guarantee to boost tree-planting rates and create new woodland in return for payment. The scheme offered £50 million to land managers who planted trees to sequester carbon and who could sell ‘woodland carbon units’ back to the government.Government support has also been offered by the England Woodland Creation Offer, along with grants from the Countryside Stewardship and the Woodland Trust.
This funding has been welcomed by farmers, who whilst understanding the need for tree-planting, have also raised concerns about the investment needed to fund saplings and that planting could encroach on land set aside for food production.
Sophie Throup, Head of Agricultureat Morrisons, said: “As British farming’s biggest customer, we have a responsibility to help our farmers overcome the challenges of working more sustainably.
“Many farmers, while recognising the value of trees in their landscape, are worried that tree planting initiatives will mean that valuable land is taken from food production – even when funded by the government.
“We want to take this worry away and help farmers identify what trees work for them on their farm, in the right places and for the right reasons.”
Morrisons Tree Advisors will offer expert advice to farmers on a case-by-case basis and will work with farmers to create individual woodland planting and management plans.
They will identify which trees are best in which place, how tree planting can complement farming business activity and what environmental benefit they will bring. They will also advise how to unlock government and grant funding to finance the planting of trees, as well as how to secure income from their projects.
Aldi Scotland is returning to the Royal Highland Show with its biggest presence ever as it continues to bolster its support of local Scottish suppliers.
After a two-year hiatus, this year’s Royal Highland Show will celebrate its 200th anniversary, returning to Ingliston to showcase the best of Scotland’s food, farming, and rural life.
To mark the occasion, Aldi Scotland will showcase 22 of its popular suppliers from all over the country, giving visitors the chance to try a range of Scotland’s best quality products; from Angus Soft Fruits’ delicious Scottish berries (above) to a variety of Robertson’s Fine Foods’ Specially Selected Sausages. A selection of Brownings the Bakers’ most-loved meat and vegetable pies and baked goods will also be on offer.
Visitors to the Aldi Scotland marquee can also try locally produced Scottish Buffalo Mozzarella following the retailer’s recent deal with Fife-based The Buffalo Farm.
Made from the milk of grass-fed water buffalo, which are selected from the best herds across Europe, The Buffalo Farm’s Mozzarella is sumptuously creamy, full of flavour, and has a wonderfully soft texture.
The popular budget retailer, which was named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket in 2021 by Which?, is renowned for its relationship with Scottish suppliers and championing of local produce. Aldi Scotland currently works with over 90 local suppliers, stocking 450 Scottish products, and is constantly on the lookout to bring more of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry to its 102 Scottish stores.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “The Royal Highland Show is a huge event in the Aldi Scotland calendar, and one that we have really missed over the past couple of years. Everyone is looking forward to returning this year and celebrating the very best produce that Scotland has to offer.
“At Aldi Scotland, we are incredibly proud of the strong relationships we have developed with our Scottish suppliers over the years which allow us to consistently provide exceptionally high-quality products at everyday low prices.
“I am so pleased to be welcoming back visitors to our stand this year and am grateful to our suppliers who allow us to showcase the very best of Scotland’s larder.”
This year’s Royal Highland Show runs from Thursday 23rd June until Sunday 26th June at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
Aldi has transformed Scotland’s most-loved breakfast food into something even better with its Big Man Square Sausage, which is double the thickness of a regular square sausage.
Guaranteed to have Dads across the country clearing their plates, the Big Man Square Sausage is ideal for an indulgent Scottish fry up or in a morning roll.
Aldi worked with award-winning Scottish Butcher, We Hae Meat, to create the Lauchlan Burn Big Man Square Sausage, which makes for the perfect addition to a Father’s Day breakfast feast.
Aldi shoppers can pick up the tasty breakfast item, which is available at Aldi stores across Scotland from 16th June, for just £1.49 for a pack of two (260g), while stocks last.
Toradh Seville Orange Floured Gin hits shelves for just £14.99
Aldi Scotland is adding to its range of own brand premium gin, with the addition of the new Toradh (pronounced Tor-ig) Seville Orange Flavour Gin.
Hitting shelves across all 102 Aldi Scotland stores, it is the latest Scottish gin to be offered by the value supermarket selling for just £14.99 for a 70cl bottle.
The perfect way to be-gin summer, the new addition to the Toradh range is a rich and vibrant gin, bursting with flavour. Boasting notes of light lemongrass and a delicate, floral orange blossom, when topped with ice and a cold splash of Ridge Valley Tonic Water (500ml, £0.99) customers get an incredibly smooth and delightful G&T with a fruity twist.
The Seville Orange Flavoured Gin is the sixth edition in Aldi Scotland’s own brand premium Toradh range, which also includes Plum and Pink Grapefruit Gin; Tropical Gin and the classic Original Gin, meaning Scots shoppers have an incredible selection to choose from.
The range is inspired by Scotland’s natural landscapes and its world-class larder. ‘Toradh’, meaning ‘produce’ in Gaelic, celebrates Scotland’s fertile lands and the abundance of fine ingredients grown here.
Aldi Scotland pride themselves in working with a wide range of Scottish suppliers who are passionate about bringing the best of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry to their customers.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said:“Our Toradh Gin range is already incredibly popular, and the Seville Orange Flavour Gin will make the perfect addition to the collection.
“It is an incredibly refreshing drink, bursting with flavour and vibrant notes, that is sure to delight our customers.
“Scotland has such a rich abundance of fresh ingredients, which is almost unmatched by any other country in the world. Our Toradh range was created in homage to our land and to the fresh produce grown here, and we are fortunate to work with such a high calibre of suppliers to bring it to shelves.”
This week Masterchef winner and acclaimed Scottish chef, Gary Maclean, made an outstanding claim that ‘masterpiece’ Mortons rolls were deserving of more than just a classic lorne sausage, and Aldi Scotland agrees.
Adding to the debate, the leading value supermarket has lined up three of its top selling products it thinks are worthy of Scotland’s favourite crispy roll.
Smokey, succulent and sweet, this Macaulay’s Ham Hough falls off the bone, creating a filling worthy of Scotland’s top chef. The producer is one of 90 Scottish suppliers working with Aldi to bring the best of Scotland’s larder to it’s customers.
Even better, its big enough to feed 4, meaning the whole family can enjoy.
Aldi Smoked Salmon slices which come in a punchy, yet light mustard and dill dressing, are the perfect posh bite for those looking for some ‘roll reversal’.
For just £1.99, it will add a layer of luxury to your lunch for no more than the cost of a roll at your local van.
Aldi Scotland’s experts have curated a selection of recipes to feed the family on a budget
Leading value supermarket, Aldi Scotland, has revealed a selection of healthy and budget-friendly lunch options all ranging between £4 and £8.
Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or packing up lunchboxes to go, Aldi Scotland’s three delicious low-cost lunch options are the perfect mid-day meal, and are all made using the finest, locally sourced ingredients.
With Aldi’s generous portion sizes, each meal can feed up to a family of four, with options to stretch the ingredients across recipes to make the most of what is in the fridge and reduce food waste.
Mediterranean style salad with sweet potato and chicken – £4.41
With one sweet potato containing 400% of your daily required Vitamin A, low in calories and fat, while also being high in fibre, this superfood offers a nutritional yet comforting mid-week meal that is budget-friendly at only 99p per bag at Aldi Scotland.
Chop the sweet potatoes into chunks and cook in the oven alongside tomatoes, onions, and diced Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets (£1.85) for a Mediterranean style lunch packed full of goodness. Toss in some iceberg lettuce and season with salt and pepper to ignite the flavours.
Nature’s Pick Sweet Potatoes – 1kg – 99p
Nature’s Glen Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets – 300g – £1.85
Nature’s Pick Iceberg Lettuce – 46p
Everyday Essentials Cherry Tomatoes – 250g – 48p
Everyday Essentials Red Onions – 1kg – 63p
Baked potato with ham and veg medley, plus a fruity dessert – £7.65
Pick up a four pack of Nature’s Pick Medium Baking Potatoes for only 42p for the perfect base, which will complement a variety of delicious and interchangeable toppings. For this recipe, Aldi Scotland suggests creating a medley of Nature’s Glen Ayrshire Cured Cooked Ham (£1.69), cherry tomatoes (48p) and red onions(63p). Top with a sprinkling of Glen Lochy Scottish Mature Cheddar (£1.89) this will become a firm family favourite for only £5.11.
Looking to bulk it out for hungry mouths? Add a dollop of Rowan Glen’s Greek Style Natural Yoghurt (55p) to your topping mixture and use the left-over yoghurt for an after-lunch snack piled with Aldi Scotland’s Nature’s Pick Fresh Scottish Strawberries for only £1.99 taking your final total for lunch and dessert to just £7.65.
Nature’s Pick Medium Baking Potatoes – 4 pack – 42p
Nature’s Glen Ayrshire Cured Cooked Ham – 125g – £1.69
Even the healthiest eaters need some carbs now and again – so why not treat your family, and your wallet, to a classic fan favourite – a chicken BLT sandwich for only £5.92 with enough ingredients to feed six people.
Finely slice Aldi Scotland’s Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets (£1.85) and Specially Selected Scottish Bacon (£1.99,240g), mix in a splash of mayonnaise (59p), before loading up Authentic Scottish Bakeries Wholemeal Rolls (55p) with a layer of iceberg lettuce (46p) and some cherry tomatoes (48p).
At Aldi Scotland salads can be as cheap and delicious as they are good for you, so make sure to use your leftovers wisely – chop up your remaining iceberg lettuce and throw on what’s left of the bacon, chicken and tomatoes for a quick and easy salad, offering another meal for four at no additional cost. Top tip: cut the remaining rolls into squares, drizzle with oil and salt and bake for home-made salad crouton for some extra crunch.
Nature’s Glen Scottish Chicken Breast Fillets – 300g – £1.85
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“With the cost of a weekly shop more important that ever, we are delighted to work with local producers to offer such a wide range of healthy weekly meal solutions that all the family can enjoy. Our customers don’t have to compromise quality for value when they chose to shop with us.”
Aldi currently works with over 90 Scottish suppliers, stocking 450 Scottish products and are constantly looking to bring more of what Scotland’s vibrant food and drink industry has to offer to their customers.
An East Lothian-based cider producer is celebrating after winning a competition to have its Scottish Fruits Cider made available for customers at 179 Scotmid stores across Scotland from Wednesday, 27th April.
Founded in 2008, Thistly Cross is the second of five Scottish businesses to win the Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition. The competition was launched by the convenience retailer to champion local producers and further demonstrates its commitment to Scottish sourcing.
Peter Stuart, Founder of Thistly Cross, said: “The promotional listing with Scotmid means a lot to us and our business. This partnership will open the door to new audiences and provide us with the opportunity to sell our product to customers directly in store.
“Our small and passionate team strive to be at the forefront of the growing craft cider movement and we’re grateful for this platform to shout about the great taste of Scottish craft cider. We value Scotmid’s commitment to supporting independent retailers like us and are proud to be offering our authentic Scottish Fruits Cider to their customers.”
Scotmid and Scotland Food & Drink received more than 50 entries from local businesses, which were each judged by a panel of experts.
Kirsty Carnegy, Head of Local Sourcing at Scotmid, said:“We are always looking for new ways to diversify and grow our Scottish product portfolio and were absolutely thrilled with the high quality of entries that we have received for the Scottish Favourites competition.
“Scotland truly has some of the best food and drink in the world and the calibre of local producers is continuing to grow year on year. Made with hand-picked strawberries, elderflowers and blackcurrants, this cider is Scottish to the core. We can’t wait to hear how much our customers love this delicious, locally produced product – massive congratulations to Thistly Cross!”
Thistly Cross is located on the east coast of Scotland and handcrafts its ciders in small batches using real fruit, slow fermented and long matured.
Aldi Scotland’s hugely popular Supermarket Sweep has returned for another year and customers in Edinburgh have the chance to raise as much money as possible for a local foodbank of their choosing.
Guaranteed to be the most fun anyone can have while doing the weekly shop, Edinburgh residents have the opportunity to pick up their favourite items from Aldi’s store in the Hermiston Gait Retail Park.
Launched in 2016, Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep gives shoppers the chance to do a five-minute trolley dash and take home all the Aldi favourites they can grab in that time, with Aldi donating the cash value of the trolley to a local foodbank.
The lucky shopper also has a chance to double this cash donation and take home a SpecialBuy item of their choice* if they successfully find a hidden inflatable in-store.
Edinburgh residents can apply for the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th May.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “The Supermarket Sweep is an event in the Aldi calendar that we all look forward to. We are so pleased to be bringing the initiative back for another year and offer one lucky Edinburgh resident the chance to have a shopping experience like no other.
“Foodbanks across Scotland have worked tirelessly over the last two years to help those who need their services the most. Last year we donated almost £9,000 to foodbanks through Supermarket Sweep and we want to build on this in 2022.
“From St Andrews to Inverness and Cumnock to Dundee, our Supermarket Sweeps will be taking place across the country. Not only are they a fun way to raise as much money as we can for local foodbanks, but they also give our loyal customers the opportunity to stock up on their favourite Aldi products.”
Shoppers will be asked to nominate their chosen foodbank when applying to take part. Entrants must be over 18 years old to take part, and alcohol products are not included in the sweep.
Entry is free and customers can apply in-store or by emailing:
