The UK’s leading supermarket chains have jumped to Aldi’s defence in the viral caterpillar cake war over this past weekend.
In case you missed it, which would be a pretty impressive feat at this point, it was announced last Thursday that Marks & Spencer had decided to launch legal action against Aldi over its iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake, claiming that the budget supermarket’s own larvae dessert – Cuthbert the Caterpillar – is too similar, infringes its trademark and should be removed from shelves.
A spokesperson for M&S said: “Because we know the M&S brand is special to our customers and they expect only the very best from us, love and care goes into every M&S product on our shelves.
“We want to protect Colin and our reputation for freshness, quality, innovation and value”.
As you would expect, Aldi then decided to bring out the big guns on social media in response, by launching a #FreeCuthbert hashtag and marketing campaign on Friday.
It spoke out in defence of its own caterpillar cake in a series of amusing tweets that mercilessly mocked its rival, before the British public typically chipped in to take matters into their own hands and turn it into the full-blown cake war it’s now become.
And now a number of other major supermarkets have waded in too.
This is not just any court case, this is… #FreeCuthbert
We all know that several major supermarkets also have their own versions of a caterpillar cake – including Sainsbury’s’ Wiggles the Caterpillar, Tesco’s Curly the Caterpillar, and Asda’s Clyde the Caterpillar – but despite this, M&S has stated that Aldi’s Cuthbert is too similar to Colin, and that the dessert “rides on the coat-tails” of the retailer’s reputation.
Determined not to be out on the battlefield alone, Aldi then decided to recruit the support of its fellow caterpillar cake competitions.
“Cecil, Wiggles, Curly, Clyde. We got you. #FreeCuthbert” Aldi said on Twitter.
Even though Aldi made sure to tag its rivals in the tweet, Waitrose was the only one of them to directly respond to being dragged into the argument by admitting that “Cecil is watching from the sidelines”.
The supermarkets seemingly left out of the conversation had a lot more to say though.
Morrison’s responded to Aldi’s tweet saying: “When you find out your friends have a group chat without you #whataboutMorris”, with Coop then echoing the same sentiment in response to Morrison’s adding: “We feel your pain, it’s the 2nd time we’ve been left off the invite list.
“We call for co-operation for all caterpillars. #FreeCuthbert“.
Iceland – which had successfully managed to stay out of the firing line up until it decided to join in and take Aldi’s side on the matter – also took to Twitter to say: “Just wait till they see our ‘Colleen the Butterfly’ cake #FreeCuthbert“.
And the Irish arm of fellow budget supermarket chain Lidl also posted a hilarious snapshot of their “legal team’s search history”.
Just wait till they see our 'Colleen the Butterfly' cake 🦋 👀 #FreeCuthbert
When will all this mayhem be resolved then? Honestly, we have no idea.
It’s said that if M&S’s intellectual property claim to the High Court ends up being successful, that Aldi will need remove Cuthbert from supermarket shelves right across the UK and refrain from selling any similar products in the future.
For now though, at least we have the endless raft of memes and supermarket responses to entertain us.
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Viral beauty retailer Sephora announces Manchester Arndale opening day plans
Thomas Melia
Viral beauty stockist Sephora has announced the schedule ahead of new Manchester Arndale site’s opening day.
Known for stocking some of the world’s biggest beauty brands, including Sol De Janeiro Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Fenty, Huda Beauty, and more, Sephora is making its Manchester Arndale debut this week, and opening day plans have been confirmed.
After opening its first Manchester site inside the Trafford Centre last year, the cosmetics retailer is now really making its mark on Manchester city centre.
Ahead of its new launch inside one of Manchester’s biggest shopping centres, with a almost 5,000 sq ft site inside the Arndale, Sephora is expected to attract huge queues, so the retailer has issued a statement detailing its plans ahead of the opening day.
Sephora has announced plans ahead of its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
The opening day is this Friday (1 August) from 10am, and from this date, you’ll be able to get your hands on all their glorious goodies and brands.
If you’re eager to be one of the first people to browse this beauty shop and its massive product range, you’ll be able to queue beforehand – with entertainment on the day from 8am, and the opening ceremony from 9:30am.
Similarly to the brand’s Trafford Centre launch, there will be a range of activities, including an appearance from Drag King Don One, DJ sets, Spin the Wheel, and Sephora’s iconic viral gift bags.
These gift bags have become highly-sought-after due to the sheer amount of big names and top quality products you can find inside, and there’ll be 800 of these prized possessions given away throughout the weekend.
This time, however, the cosmetics retailer is trialling a new approach, with anyone who makes an in-store purchase receiving a ‘Sephora Beauty Bonus Card’ which gives you access to goodies and offers without queuing.
You’ll be in with the chance of winning a goodie bag, a mystery lucky dip for a full-sized product, Benefit Wax and Tint Brow Service, 30-minute makeover opportunity, exclusive merchandise, and a 10% off code for the Manchester Arndale Sephora shop.
The viral beauty brand Sephora will be giving away 800 goodie bag at its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
Sephora will be stocking more than 135 brands, as well as a curation of products that are exclusive to its UK locations.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Sephora UK, commented: “We’ve been blown away by the energy and support from our community at every store opening since our first in 2023.
“This new approach means even more customers can enjoy the fun and walk away with a surprise without needing to arrive hours before doors open. It’s about putting customer wellbeing first, while still celebrating in true Sephora style”.
Sephora is opening at Manchester Arndale on Friday 1 August, with entertainment starting from 8am, the official opening ceremony commencing from 9:30am, and the store opening at 10am.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering FREE returns if it’s raining when you visit
Emily Sergeant
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort has introduced a new ‘rainy day return’ policy.
If there’s one thing we can all be certain of, here in the North West, rain will fall, even if it’s summer, and despite the fact us northerners are used to it, it does tend to dampen the fun a bit – pun intended – which is why Blackpool Pleasure Beach has introduced a new policy aimed at ensuring guests are getting the best out of their visit throughout August.
If you’re visiting Blackpool Pleasure Beach this summer, and it rains for more than three hours on the day of your trip, then you’ll be entitled to return for free within seven days of your original visit.
This means you’ll get a second go at experiencing the Pleasure Beach’s lineup of rides and attractions, like the 235ft Big One, the award-winning Valhalla, and the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, all when they sun is shining… or just when it’s not chucking it down, at the very least.
“It’s important to us that guests have the best time when visiting,” commented Amanda Thompson OBE, who is the CEO of the Pleasure Beach Resort.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering free returns if it’s raining when you visit / Credit: Supplied
“While, technically speaking, the rain doesn’t affect our rides, we wouldn’t want the wet weather to dampen anyone’s day.
“We truly believe that you can have a great time at Pleasure Beach come rain or shine, but we know that everything is extra special when the weather is on side.”
To use the rainy day return scheme, guests should arrive at the ticket centre on the day of their return visit, and display their eTickets, paper tickets, or confirmation email to staff.
The new return option can be used any day of the week, within seven days of the original visit.
The launch of the Pleasure Beach’s ‘rainy day returns’ policy comes just days after the resort last week unveiled a first glimpse of what its new £8.72 million ride, Aviktas – that’s set to be the ‘tallest of its kind’ in the UK – will look like once it’s finished.
Aviktas will spin riders 120 degrees, facing outwards with legs dangling as you soar along the coastline.
Emily Sergeant -
19th April 2021 
