A small knot of customers was waiting outside Aldi in Brecon at 8 o'clock this morning as the store reopened after it had been closed for a week for a refurbishment.

The first shoppers to enter the store were greeted by bright new aisles, loaded with fresh new ranges of stock.

The store had been closed since 6pm on Thursday, August 30 and reopened at 8am today (Thursday, September 6).

Many of the store’s popular ranges had been moved to new parts of the store - meaning customers were taking longer to reach the tills with their purchases.

A line of senior management, in suits, was also stood just inside the entrance to the store greeting customers as they arrived to shop and see the new changes.

Aldi Brecon store manager Marie Williams said: “The store is looking fantastic, and we can’t wait to welcome our loyal customers back so they can see it for themselves.

“We know that the value and quality of our products is unbeatable, and we’re committed to making sure that the shopping experience each customer enjoys in our stores is on a par with the products and services they’re used to.

“We’ve got some great Specialbuy deals on throughout our opening week, so we’re set for a busy opening week.”

The Brecon store's transformation is part of Aldi’s £300m investment into improving its stores and service across the UK, and is based on feedback from more than 50,000 customers.

The new format of the store includes developments such as new and improved chillers and freezers, including a ‘Food to Go’ section at the front of the store; increased space dedicated to fresh, British meat products; relocation of fresh bakery items to the final aisle, so products don’t get squashed under shopping; relocation of Beers, Wines and Spirits into a dedicated fixture along the back wall and a dedicated section of award-winning Health & Beauty products.

Customers visiting the store on opening day can take advantage of Aldi’s famous Specialbuys, which occur every Thursday and Sunday. During opening week the store will be offering a wide range of student life essentials, including a 32” HD Smart TV for £194.99, a steam iron with three-year warranty for £12.99 and a range of kitchen appliances, including a table-top fridge, retro microwave and slow cooker.

An Aldi head office spokeswoman said: "The store has also been cleverly crafted to increase employee efficiencies, allowing Aldi to continue to pass its low operating costs on to customers in the form of low prices.

"The store employs 21 members of the local community and the refurbishment has created an additional three jobs, in a welcome boost to the town’s economy."

The store, which has 63 car parking spaces, is located on Rich Way, Brecon, LD3 7ED and is open from Monday to Saturday from 8am-10pm and from 10am-4pm on Sunday.