Thurles Information

Thurles Aldi launches exciting new winter attraction; “Aldi-on-Sea”.

Delighted to see the Thurles Aldi carpark has once again been transformed into a seasonal water feature. Since 2023, it’s become a reliable annual tradition: you arrive for milk and end up needing a canoe.

And no, Storm Chandra had nothing to do with it; Tipperary for the most part escaped the major flooding experienced on the east coast.
(But maybe Aldi Ltd, could apply for humanitarian emergency aid funding which was limited to €5,000 and now increased up to €100,000, because Co. Councils down the years successfully failed to maintain our clogged river channels, thus reducing water flow and capacity).

A few helpful customer updates:

• Trolleys now come with a complimentary reflection for your Instagram.
• Parking bays are “first come, first served” and float-tested.
• Shoppers are advised to wear wellies, or at least bring a lifebuoy.

All jokes aside: this happens every winter. It’s not a “once-off”, it’s a recurring problem that needs a proper fix. People shouldn’t have to dodge puddles the size of Liberty Square, in an effort to purchase a loaf of bread.

So, any chance we could upgrade from ‘Seasonal Lagoon‘ to ‘Normal Carpark‘ before winter 2027?

Seriously, following my complaints sent initially to Aldi Stores Ltd, I discovered an email waiting on my computer this morning. Same Read:-

Hi George, (Yes, we’re practically pen pals at this stage).
Thanks so much for your patience.
I can confirm the Area Manager has advised that the work for the car park had to wait for adjacent work to be completed first, organised via the local council. This was completed prior to the festive break. (Xmas 2026)
They have confirmed that as a result, the work on the car park to fix appropriate drainage systems is scheduled to be completed by the end of February, (Which February remains unclear).
If there is anything else we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach back out.
Thanks again for reaching out to us.
Best wishes, …………

My reply:
Madam:
This flooding has been a recurring winter issue since at least 2023.
It is particularly difficult to understand the continued problem at the main entrance area where the public drains are almost one metre lower than the Aldi site level itself. 
With that level difference at the point of outfall, it raises an obvious question as to why a lasting drainage solution was not implemented earlier, rather than allowing the same disruption to customers repeat itself year after year. 

Your reply now begs the question, has your anonymous ‘Area Manager’ ever visited Aldi Thurles, since at least 2023 and have staff not repeatedly reported the issue year after year?
Has this problem in Thurles not been reflected in Aldi Thurles branch profits?
I find the explanation by your area manager both condescending and disappointing.
Yours sincerely…………

Obviously Municipal District Officials and local elected Councillors don’t shop there, although Aldi are the only stockists of Ice Cream in Thurles Town, which containing no risky additives, less water and skim milk powder.