Aldi is recruiting people to test its new summer gins, and will send the lucky applicants a bunch of bottles to try for free.
At this point, we all know that Aldi’s ‘Wine Club’ is pretty legendary, right?
But if wine isn’t really your cup of tea – or, should we instead say, your tipple of choice – and you’d consider yourself to be more of a “self-proclaimed gin-ius” instead, then the budget supermarket retailer might have just the side hustle for you.
It’s been a long time coming, but Aldi has now launched its first ever – and the first in the UK, too – supermarket ‘Gin Club’, and is now in the process of carrying out a nationwide search for 30 gin enthusiasts to trial its award-winning gins before summer arrives.
Image: Aldi
Oh, and the best bit? Not only will the lucky recruits get to try some of the supermarket’s newest gins before they hit the shelves, they’ll also get sent them for completely free of charge.
Each selected Gin Club member will receive three bottles of Aldi’s latest summer gin launches over an eight-week period.
Packages will include everything needed to craft the perfect cocktail masterpiece.
Then, once the lucky recruits have tested each of the gins sent to them, all they’ll have to do in return is review each gin, create their very own cocktail, and share it on TikTok or Instagram using the dedicated #AldiGinClub hashtag, before getting to “sip back and enjoy”.
Image: Unsplash
All reviews shared will help guide and inform Aldi’s booze-buying teams ahead of key decision-making for 2025.
“We’re excited to be launching the UK’s first supermarket Gin Club,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK.
“We’re recruiting a panel of gin enthusiasts that are passionate when it comes to cocktail creation, as Aldi’s award-winning gin range has gone from strength to strength, and this provides us with a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from our shoppers, helping to improve and develop our ranges for next year.”
Fancy it then? To apply, you’ll just need to be 18 or over, a legal UK resident, and provide 150 words explaining why you think you should be selected as an Aldi Gin Club member, as well as what your favourite Aldi gin is and what the best cocktail to make with it is.
Applications are now open, with a closing deadline of 25 June. Find out more here and apply by emailing aldiginclub@clarioncomms.co.uk.
Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is gearing up to open in Leeds.
The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.
Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.
It is expected to open this spring.
Image: The Manc Group
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Jerk Junction to Trinity Kitchen and we’re sure it will prove very popular. Bringing an authentic Caribbean flavour to Leeds, it’s the perfect new addition and complements our already stellar line-up of street food vendors.”
Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “Jerk Junction is all about real Caribbean food and culture. Everything we do is rooted in Jamaican tradition, from bold spices and authentic cooking to dishes that bring people together.
“For us, food is family. From our kitchen to every person who comes to our counter, we want people to feel the warmth, the energy and the spirit of the islands. We can’t wait to bring those authentic flavours and good vibes to Trinity Kitchen.”
The announcement follows news that the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand Lane7, and footwear retailers schuh and Footasylum, would be opening at Trinity Leeds later this year, whilst the LEGO Store will be relocating to a larger space within the shopping centre.
Posting to their social media, The Maven said: "When news broke The Maven could close its doors at the end of March, the reaction across the city was immediate. The response from customers, bartenders, and hospitality operators showed just how much this bar means to Leeds.
"For nearly 15 years, The Maven has been one of the city’s most loved cocktail destinations and a true institution within the local bar scene.
"When we told you about its potential closure we were flooded with support and interest from across the hospitality community. In the days that followed, several Leeds-based operators stepped forward with genuine offers to buy the venue and keep the bar alive.
"At a time when our industry is too often filled with stories of closures, today brings a little hope - a story about a community stepping up to protect something it values.
"The reports that The Maven would close at the end of March are now firmly in the past: The Maven Lives.
"Thanks to the passion of the Leeds hospitality community and the loyalty of its guests, the bar will continue to be part of the city’s nightlife story. More details about the next chapter for The Maven will be shared soon."
Emily Sergeant -
29th May 2024 
