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Shoppers queue up from as early as 1am to be first inside The Food Warehouse in Aberdeen

Hundreds of people queued at Berryden Retail Park to be in with the chance to win vouchers - with three lucky shoppers even landing themselves a trolley dash.

The Food Wareshouse staff hold a ribbon outside the door as customer David Finch cuts it with scissors
The first customer in the queue this morning, David Finch, was asked to cut the ribbon outside the entrance. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson.

Hundreds of shoppers eagerly queued outside Berryden Retail Park for the grand opening of a new supermarket.

The Food Warehouse welcomed the first customers to its Aberdeen branch at 8am after handing out hundreds of pounds worth of prizes.

While three customers were given the chance to run around the store for a trolley dash, others struck lucky with exciting raffle prizes, with one woman taking home a hot tub alongside her food deals.

People queuing for the opening of The Food Warehouse in the Berryden car park in Aberdeen.
Hundreds of people queued outside ahead of the store opening. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

To celebrate the opening, the first 100 shoppers through the doors were given an envelope containing vouchers between £5 and £100.

The deals on offer inside the store and the opening day bonuses were a big draw for those who came out this morning, with the queue as far back as Next by 7.45am.

First through the door

David Finch, from the Pittodrie area, was the very first person in the queue having turned up at 1am to get his hands on some deals.

The first three customers in the queue.
The first three customers in the queue, including Robert Brown, left, and David Finch, right. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

He said: “I thought it would be busy so I made sure I was here early. I only knew about it because I got a flyer through the door and I knew I had to come and see what I could get.

“There’s a lot of frozen food and deals which is great, and meals from companies no longer in Aberdeen that still deliver to this store.”

After seven hours of queueing, the 25-year-old was invited to cut the ribbon at the store entrance and was gifted a £100 voucher.

Trolley dash success

The first customers who were able to browse the aisles were the three winners of the trolley dash, who each had 90 seconds to pick up as many items as possible.

Diane Duncan said she had no idea what she had signed up to but successfully managed to grab almost £180 worth of food.

“My daughter told me all about it when we got here and then my number was picked. I wasn’t prepared at all so I had no plan when I got in there,” she said.

“I’ll come back in for a slower browse.

Shopper Tiwalola Ogunleye with her trolley dash haul.
Tiwalola Ogunleye with her trolley dash haul. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Fellow trolley dash participant Tiwalola Ogunleye added: “My friend called about the new shop and said I should come and have a look, but it’s my only day off so I wanted to have a long lie.

“You never know what’s going to happen, I’m definitely glad I came along now.”

The three trolley dashers successfully collected more than £600 of food to take home with no charge.

Many deals on offer

Many people waiting to get inside for some deals said they were already regular shoppers at Iceland and wanted to find out what the partner store had to offer.

View of some of the aisles set up for the first day of trade.
Some of the aisles set up for the first day of trade. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Others had decided to spend their morning at the retail park after finding a flyer for the new store posted through their letter boxes.

Seiyefa Adeleke was visiting a Food Warehouse for the very first time today and was also drawn in by the vouchers on offer.

“It’s good to see another shop in Aberdeen offering such great deals,” she added.

Some of the first customers waiting to go inside as The Food Warehouse opens in Aberdeen.
Some of the first customers waiting to go inside the store. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Robert Brown, from Tillydrone, was third through the door this morning after securing his spot outside at 3.30am.

“I’m just here for the deals,” he said. “They are a lot better here in comparison to some other supermarkets.

“And, I really like all the restaurant meal options, like Chiquito and Greggs. I got a £50 voucher as well, so I’ll be back along this afternoon with the car.”

A store for the community

The first batch of customers were also welcomed with treats from Irn Bru and Warburtons before they hit the aisles.

David Gibson, area manager for The Food Warehouse, said it was “really exciting” to be opening a store in Aberdeen.

Customers receiving a goodie bag from Irn Bru as they arrive.
Customers received a goodie bag from Irn Bru when they arrived. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

“The Scottish shoppers always turnout in force,” he said. “They all love a deal, so it’s great to finally land in Aberdeen. It’s also great to see the retail park full now as well.

“The turnout has been superb, I think there were more than 200 people in the queue before the doors opened.

“Our stores are about community and we have a brand new team at this store ready to welcome everyone.”

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