The wait is nearly over – Aldi is set to open in Dartford next week.

The German retailer opens at the Orchards Shopping Centre at 8am next Thursday in the former Waitrose store.

A DJ has been booked to celebrate the opening day while a number of sample products will be available to customers.

Lorries were spotted unloading the first deliveries this week.

Store Manager, Ben Kaila, commented: “We are looking forward to the opening of our new store in Dartford.

"We’re hoping to see plenty of shoppers throughout the morning take advantage of our opening week offers, in addition to our range of products at everyday low prices."

Plans to move in to the building were approved in September, following the closure of Waitrose in February 2014, after 10 years of trading.

The supermarket’s arrival marks the second stage of a major town centre development to replace the upmarket store following the opening of discount firm Poundworld in April.

The last phase will see a 24-hour gym built above Aldi but Orchard bosses were unable to say when an operator will be in place.

Orchards’ manager Debbie Carey said: “We’re incredibly excited Aldi are opening in the Orchards Shopping Centre and we know the people of Dartford feel the same too.

“We are anticipating Aldi will see thousands of customers paying them a visit. Not only is this great news for them, but for The Orchards and Dartford too.”

And Lidl could soon be set to join their counterparts after an application was submitted for a new store the town centre.

Council leader Jeremy Kite says the supermarket’s arrival is the latest step towards a town centre revival following the decison by Tesco to abandon its plans for Lowfield Street.

He said: "I think Aldi will be very successful in Dartford and help lift the other shops in the mall as well.

"Our town centre has a long way to go and I don’t want to promote a false dawn, but I believe we are getting back on our feet."