It feels like we’ve been saying this for a while now, right? But with less than a week to go before it finally rolls around, the big day is bound to be here before we know it.
We all know by now that the festive season is gearing up to be a little different this year though, with the UK government having sadly conceded that “Christmas cannot be normal” amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and while it has been announced that up to three families can form a Christmas bubble between 23rd – 27th December, for a lot of people, this still means there will be friends and family members they are unable to spend time with.
This is probably why we’re all putting a little extra thought into our gift giving this time round, but for some of us though, even with all the best intentions, there are still a few presents yet to be bought.
Luckily, The Manc Store is the perfect place for those who are always on the last minute.
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If you’re looking for an opportunity to shop local and support small business this Christmas, there’s a wide range of Manchester-themed apparel pieces stocked on our site, and if you get your orders in by 17th December at 11.59pm (for Standard Delivery), or the same time on 19th December (Express Delivery), then each of these items will arrive to the front door of all UK customers before Christmas Day.
Get ‘Gail Platted’ this Christmas whether you’re drinking or not with what is possibly the greatest Coronation Street-themed jumper on the planet. With ribbed collars, cuffs and hem, this sweatshirt is a cosy solution to the cold, and is perfect for layering.
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This unisex jumper is available in sizes S – XXL, and comes in a range of four festive colours.
Coming in a stylish fit and made out of 100% cotton, this is classic t-shirt is by far one of our most popular products for kids, as is the babygrow – which is soft and cosy, fully machine washable and with lap shoulders to change your baby’s outfit easily – and are both a must-have for showing off their passion for our city.
Both the unisex t-shirt and babygrows are available in a range of sizes and colours.
Our popular ‘Worker Bee’ range comes in all sorts of variations, but one of our most popular pieces has to be this relaxed fit hoodie, which features ribbed cuffs and a front pocket, and even has a small hidden opening for earphone cord feed too.
This is our favourite hoodie of the season, for sure.
This unisex hoodie comes in a classic fit, and is available in sizes S – 5XL.
This is your chance to rep your city in our hugely-popular ‘Rainy City’ gear.
A wardrobe staple – coming in a classic style for men, and a semi-fitted style for women – these relaxed-fit t-shirts will update any look, and are part of our best-selling range, which also features sweaters, mugs and tote bags too.
There’s no better way to fly the flag for Manchester.
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This t-shirt is made out of 100% cotton, and is available in sizes S – 5XL.
Tesco officially unveils Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026 and confirms launch date
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Tesco officially unveils Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026 / Credit: Tesco
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Featured Image – Tesco
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK – this is why
Emily Sergeant
A list of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK has been revealed, and Manchester has made the cut for one very specific reason.
On a bit of a budget? Aren’t we all.
The cost of living crisis has been raging on for quite a few years now, and unfortunately, despite how much we all wish for it to, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – with prices for everyday items, especially typical fridge and cupboard stables, shooting up by the day, even though supermarkets are showing efforts to prevent it.
And it’s the noticeable price increases in groceries that led delivery insurance provider, Street Cover, to uncover which UK cities don’t strain your food shopping budgets too much just yet.
As it was found that food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation reached 1.3% this past summer, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is officially the most affordable city in the UK, with several other northern locations on the list.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK / Credit: MCC | Aldi
The study compared the 2026 Grocery Index for the largest UK cities with the UK average, as well as available 2025 Grocery Indices, to track the changes in food affordability.
The cities are ranked by the index difference from the national average – which is 67.3 – but the report also uses direct monetary values for a grocery basket to provide some additional context too.
Manchester took sixth place on the list, with an average grocery basket price of £23.08, while some of the other northern cities in the top 10, besides Sheffield at number one, include Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.
Top 10 Most Affordable UK Cities For Groceries
Sheffield
Milton Keynes
Liverpool
Reading
Newcastle
Manchester
Leeds
Bristol
Cardiff
Southampton
As the only other North West city in the top 10, Liverpool may have come in third place overall, but the study found that the grocery bill here is the smallest in terms of actual monetary numbers – with it setting shoppers back £22.08 for a regular supermarket basket, which is a whole £1 cheaper than in Manchester.
“Data shows households in the North East of England have the lowest average food spend in the country, around 11% below the UK average, while Yorkshire sits 6.6% below,” Al Taylor, who is the Head of Street Cover, commented on the study’s findings.
“Sheffield’s position at the top reflects lower property costs for retailers, less competition from premium chains, and a supermarket landscape dominated by value-led options.
“The practical implication for household budgets is significant – the difference between budget and premium shopping can easily be £1,000 or more per year for a family, which can be spent on other things or saved for future plans.”
The Manc -
16th December 2020 
