ALDI customers have been giving the thumbs down to the new-look Wollaston store which has been revamped as part of a multi-million pound nationwide investment programme.

Supermarket bosses promised the revamp, which took place in May, would offer a more customer-focused layout allowing shoppers to find their favourite products more easily, while browsing new ranges.

Discussions about the new-look store in Bridgnorth Road, however, have broken out on the Stourbridge Matters Facebook page, with many shoppers voicing their dislike of the changes.

One shopper said she’s not a fan of the new layout and she’s started going to the Stourbridge ring road store instead “because it’s easier to shop”.

The new tills at Aldi Wollaston

She said: “I’ve used Aldi in Wollaston almost daily since it first opened, but I just don’t like the new layout.

“There is no room for trolleys and shelf-filling and I always feel like I’m someone’s way.”

Numerous posters agreed with her – saying they too prefer the old layout.

Many have said they don’t like the new doors on the chillers, saying it’s taking them longer to shop as people have to queue to open them to get what they want and they are worried about touching the handles with Covid cases still circulating.

One poster said it had been the “worst decision ever” to put doors on the chillers.

Another said: “I can’t get on with the doors on all the chillers. I get that’s it’s more environmentally friendly, but it’s not very efficient to get round.”

Another commenter said: “How many germs on those glass doors with everyone opening them, never seen anyone cleaning them! Not so long ago everyone was obsessed with sanitising and hand washing.”

Another shopper described the doors as “awful” and said: “It takes an extra 20 minutes to do a shop as you have to wait for everyone to move so you can open a door to get a pack of grapes! Whoever designed it has never tried to shop in it!”

Supermarket bosses said the refurbishment, which was part of a £600m investment to improve Aldi stores and services across the UK, was based on feedback from thousands of customers and designed to bring more space, clearer signs and easy to browse freezers to the Wollaston store.

Wollaston councillor Cat Eccles said she liked the new chillers as they’ve been designed to help save energy but the reflections on the glass make it difficult to see the products.

One poster said the new look store was “great” and he added: “Really can’t see what people are moaning at? Staff there couldn’t be more helpful.”

Another said: "Will be great when I get used to the layout." She also added: "The chillers keep the food much fresher and better for the environment."

One commenter said the store was "better than it was" and one big fan of the revamp said: "I love it."

The new special buys section at Aldi Wollaston

The majority of comments, however, were from people who preferred the store the way it was.

One shopper said: “I do get annoyed walking around there, why fix something that wasn't broken.”

Another said: “I hate it tbh.”

A number of commenters said they prefer the store in Dudley Road, Lye.

One said: “I like the Lye one even better than Stourbridge or Wollaston. There is always a good selection of fresh flowers, it’s big and always well stocked whether I go in on different days or times.”

Another described the Lye store as “fab” and another shopper said: “Lye is better.”

When contacted by the News Aldi said it has had "some really great feedback" on the refurbishment - elements of which will help to cut energy consumption.

A spokesperson for the supermarket giant said: “We’re committed to making sure that our in-store shopping experience is on par with the amazing products and service our customers are used to and we’ve had some really great feedback so far on the refurbishment of our Wollaston store.

“Installing chiller doors is one of many steps we’ve taken to reduce our impact on the environment as it can reduce a store’s energy consumption by around 20 per cent, which is equivalent to a carbon emissions saving of up to 20 tonnes a year.”

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