TEAM GB rowing royalty Polly Swann was the guest of honour when the doors opened at the new Aldi store in Drumchapel.

The store is a welcome boost for the local economy with 30 new jobs created so far and Aldi are still recruiting for a variety of roles in the area, including store assistants and apprentices.

Polly, who marked her Olympic debut by winning silver as part of the women’s eight in Rio, said at the store opening: “I am delighted to welcome some excited local shoppers to the new store. Aldi have been great supporters of Team GB for over five years now, so it’s great that we can give back to the communities they’re involved with.”

Polly was joined at the opening by Drumchapel and Anniesland councillor Paul Carey and Bailie Malcolm Balfour.

Cllr Carey said: “I was absolutely delighted after a seven years battle to finally see the new Aldi Store open in Duntreath Avenue, Drumchapel.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community groups, particularly the community councils, for supporting me in the bid to get the new store in Drumchapel.

“I would also like to thank the Post for highlighting the challenges over the past seven years that we faced. These challenges included two planning committees and two visits to the Court of Session. However, I am actually delighted with all the hard labour that was put in by myself, Bailie Balfour and community groups.

“This store, I am sure will be one of the busiest stores, in Glasgow.

“People were queuing outside to enter the shop when it opened, which I was delighted to see.

“This store, along with the Farmfoods, which is due to open quite soon, will, I am sure, give the people of Drumchapel and the surrounding areas more choices to get good quality food for a low price.”

“I will continue to work to attract more shops and stores into my Ward. Recently, as you are aware we have attracted apart from Aldi and Farmfoods, a Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds and Costa Coffee in Great Western Retail Park and Dominos Pizza at Anniesland.”

Turf Construction are due to open up premises in Dalsetter the Headquarters.

Bailie Balfour added: “I am more than delighted it has finally opened. I was always convinced that right was on our side and it was a victory for common sense after two judicial reviews. “It also shows how cross party co-operation can benefit the community. It is a great jobs boost as well with the new recruits coming from the local area.”

In a fun packed day Aldi character Kevin the Carrot made his first public appearance since his starring role in the store’s Christmas advert last year.

He was tucked away inside one of 100 crackers presented to shoppers on at the opening, with one lucky winner, walking away with £100 worth of shopping vouchers from Aldi, to go towards their perfect Christmas dinner.

The festive “Freshtival” – a celebration of Aldi’s commitment to providing fresh, British produce this Christmas – also revealed some special, in-store Christmas interiors, courtesy of St. Clare’s Primary School.

To help the store get into the spirit of Christmas, children from St Clare’s were invited along to design posters celebrating Aldi at Christmas. The best designs were chosen and will decorate the walls of the store throughout the Christmas period. The school received a £100 donation as thanks from the store for their participation.

The new 1,416 square metres Aldi store, believed to be the biggest of the chain in Scotland, will also provide shoppers with 99 parking bays for customer convenience.

Store manager Andy Sweeney, said: “It’s always exciting to open a new store. The anticipation has been building in the team for some time now and we can’t wait to deliver high quality, award-winning goods to Drumchapel’s community.”