There isn’t much more to say about the past 15 months or so that hasn’t already been said by this point now, right?
2020 was unlike any other year in recent memory, with life as we once knew it completely flipped on its head, but despite restrictions easing over the past couple of months and confirmation expected later today that Britain’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ will actually happen on 19 July, 2021 has felt like much of the same.
It really is no surprise that many are eager to escape that Groundhog Day feeling by getting some holidays booked in then.
Travel Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News last month that: “It is possible in this pandemic for things to move and change quickly… [however, these changes also] mean there is a little bit of relief for the travel industry and for people who wish to get away.
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“It won’t be quite like it was in 2019 and the old days, but we are moving in a positive direction.”
Considering the uncertainty that’s still involved in booking a holiday abroad in 2021, it’s understandable that people are choosing to plan ahead and look to 2022 when it comes to booking trips and time off work instead.
You can secure a whopping 45 days off work using just 18 days Annual Leave / Credit: Dan Gold (Unsplash) | Flickr
As you’ve probably worked out, the key is all to do with Bank / Public Holidays and the days that fall either side of those nine pre-scheduled days off.
Where the weekends fall in 2022 also plays a significant part in it.
Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 December: Boxing Day & Bank Holiday
Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December: Annual Leave
Saturday 31 December 2022 & Sunday 1 January 2023: Weekend
Monday 2 January 2023: Bank Holiday
It’s worth noting that before you rush to book all these days off, you should check your employer’s policies on Annual Leave and keep in mind that they don’t actually have to give you paid leave on Bank / Public Holidays.
You can find out more about what you’re entitled to on the gov.uk website.
Featured Image – Piqsels
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Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ for autistic and neurodiverse customers shopping in its stores across the UK.
Supermarket shopping isn’t always the most pleasant or manageable of experiences for everyone, especially for those who are autistic or neurodivergent – with bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and crowds of people making it a rather overwhelming and overstimulating atmosphere.
This is why Morrisons has decided to collaborate with the National Autistic Society to introduce dedicated ‘Sensory Support Boxes’ at its stores nationwide, as a way to both mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and help autistic and neurodivergent customers have the positive shopping experience they deserve.
These boxes have been carefully-developed in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.
A range of toys like fidget balls, spinners, and squish mats can all be found inside the boxes – which will be eventually be available in all 500 Morrisons supermarkets by May – to help encourage calmness and focus.
All that customers wishing to access the items need to do is simply speak to a colleague at the customer service kiosk of their local Morrisons store.
More than one in 100 people are autistic, and there are 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers / Credit: Morrisons
Speaking on the decision to introduce the Sensory Support Boxes into UK stores, Joseph Clark-Bland, who is the Community Manager at Morrisons, said: “It’s a priority for us to ensure all Morrisons customers feel welcomed and understood.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating a more inclusive shopping environment for autistic people, their families and all neurodivergent people across the UK.
“World Autism Acceptance Month has been a key moment for Morrisons for many years, and we look forward to supporting even more customers via our new Sensory Boxes.”
The introduction of the Sensory Support Boxes comes after Morrisons first trialled a ‘Quieter Hour’ in some of its stores back in 2018, before rolling it out nationwide in 2024 due to its success and positive feedback.
Featured Image – Morrisons
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Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
5th February 2021 
