SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has confirmed its new Breightmet store could open by the end of next year — as work begins to tear down the former Mecca Bingo building.

Workers have been on the site for several days according to nearby shop owners and have been busily gutting the inside of the former bingo hall.

This week a fleet of diggers moved onto the Breightmet Fold Lane site as work got underway to knock down the current building that will make way for the new supermarket.

The initial plans for the new store caused controversy in the area when they first emerged in February this year.

Staff at the bingo hall only found out about the plans to demolish the building, resulting in the loss of their jobs, after 3,000 homes received a letter telling them of the development after the site's landlord Millfield Estates decided not to grant the bingo firm a new lease.

At the time a spokesman for Mecca said they were "surprised and disappointed" by the closure while their former employees said they had felt disappointed at the way they found out.

The hall closed it doors for the last time on August 2 as preparations for the demolition began.

According to the original application, along with the foodstore the site will include space for five additional flexible use commercial units.

The council's decision to grant the application included the stipulation that the new store would open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday.

An Aldi spokesman added that construction on the new supermarket will start in the new year with a planned opening date set for late 2016.

There has been no confirmation yet on how many jobs the new development will create but the German firm has previously said it believes as many as 100 new positions will be created for local people.

WATCH: To see a video of the building being demolished go to theboltonnews.co.uk