TEAM GB Olympic star Gemma Gibbons brought some silver service to the opening of a new supermarket in Denton.
The judo ace, complete with the medal she won at London 2012, did the honours to unveil the Aldi store at Crown Point North retail park.
Customers queued long before the early morning ceremony, first in was Ged Boyd followed by a steady stream on Thursday, October 7.
Gemma stopped and talked with both customers and passing schoolchildren, heading to nearby Denton Community College and posed for photos with the all-important medal.
She also gave away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables to the first 30 customers before delivering an inspirational assembly for pupils at St Anne’s Primary School.
That was part of the supermarket’s initiative, Get Set to Eat Fresh – which has already inspired two million school children to learn more about the benefits of cooking fresh, healthy food with their families.
And already it looks like the shop, which is managed by David Nield and employs 30 staff, is a popular addition.
David said: “It was lovely to welcome our new customers into store and I look forward to meeting more of the community in the coming weeks.”
Ward councillors Vincent Ricci and Denise Ward also attended the opening in the unit once occupied by Marks and Spencer and one of a number of changes to Crown Point North.
Next Outlet, which used to be H and M, is open and The Range store, in what was Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Evans, opened on Friday, October 29.