First Dates is returning for a new series filmed in Manchester this autumn, but how exactly are they managing to pull it off in the middle of a local lockdown?
Some new insider information has given us an insight into how it’s going down.
Filming for the new series of the hit Channel 4 dating show – which first arrived on TV screens in the UK back in 2013 – had already begun at Spinningfields restaurant The Refinery in March, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic understandably brought production to a halt.
The show’s star host and Maître D, Fred Sirieix, has confirmed via social media this week though that filming is now back underway.
Writing in a post shared to Instagram, Fred said: “So happy and excited to let you know that after 6 months of forced closure due to COVID-19, we have finally re-opened the First Dates restaurant.
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“We are back in business and more determined than ever to make love happen.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEjNDniFhTy/
First Dates’ simple format sees singletons matched up for a blind dinner date and there’s already an impressive success rate having led to several engagements, marriages and even a baby, but for a show that’s centred around finding love, how will this work under local lockdown restrictions?
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It was previously believed that this series of First Dates was probably going to be a different show than the one we are used to.
With a number of necessary social distancing measures having to be put in place, it was thought that couples participating in the show would be prevented from exchanging in any form of physical contact – including hugging and kissing – but now, an insider source has revealed to the Manchester Evening News that this might not necessarily be the case.
First Dates / Channel 4
The source said that because the restaurant is now a TV set, it does not operate under the same rules.
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They stated that the filming crew is sticking to strict COVID-19 guidelines that govern closed sets – such as regular testing of themselves and contributors – but confirmed that, once on the closed set, daters can “interact as normal”, without the need for social distancing, so this means that a smooch could be on the cards after all.
The spokesperson said: “First Dates’ restaurant location is a closed TV set that is not open to the general public.
“The production is abiding by strict COVID-19 guidelines and protocols, and all contributors will be taking a COVID-19 test in advance of filming and only allowed to film if their result is negative.”
The Manc has reached out to Channel 4 for follow-up comment and is awaiting response.
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Want in on the action yourself?
Fancy going on what is potentially one of the best socially-distanced date nights there is in Manchester city centre right now?
Well, you can now apply to become a ‘background dater’ on this upcoming series First Dates by registering your interest and emailing: [email protected]
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Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2020 
