ALDI is set to increase the wages of starting employees up to £11.40 per hour across Essex and most of the UK.

The new rate of £11.40 per hour will come into effect from Saturday, July 1, though staff based in London will be paid a rate of £12.85 per hour.

It means the Germany based retailer has now invested more than £100 million in staff pay over the last year.

Speaking about the pay rise Aldi’s chief executive, Giles Hurley, said: “We are incredibly proud of every single member of Team Aldi in Essex and are pleased to become the first UK supermarket to pay a minimum of £11.40 per hour to all Store Assistants.

“We believe our colleagues are the best in the sector and we are committed to ensuring they are also the best paid.”

Colchester has three Aldi supermarkets, with its Cowdray Avenue branch closing on Friday for refurbishments.

The store, which employs 35 people, is set to reopen at 8am following a refurbishment.

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