Greggs sausage rolls have been spotted peeking out of bags and pockets in Primark window displays up and down the country, leaving some people wondering what the hell the retailer is up to.
Now, all has been revealed after it emerged yesterday that the fast-fashion chain is teaming up with none other than high street bakery Greggs for a first-of-its-kind collaboration.
Yes, believe it or not, the two appear to be releasing a fashion collection inspired by Greggs’ most popular baked goods. Sausage roll hoodies, steak bake t-shirts and maybe even a tuna crunch baguette could soon become must-have fashion items (we jest, but who knows).
In 2022, we can say with some confidence that weirder things have already happened. Satire is definitely dead, though.
The high street bakery’s fashion collection will go on sale at 60 stores up and down the country, including at several Primark stores in Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
Due to launch to the public from 19 February, it is set to feature 11 different items including hoodies featuring the Greggs logo and a message reading “It’s a pastry thing” printed down one arm.
The company’s social media team teased the news out on Twitter, sharing a promo video online for what was referred to as a “freshly baked collab”.
ADVERTISEMENT
The bakery chain also announced it would be opening its biggest ever Greggs cafe inside Primark’s flagship store in Birmingham on 12 February.
The imaginatively named ‘Tasty by Greggs’ will seat 130 covers and offer all its usual customer favourites such as sausage rolls, steak bakes, pizza slices and a selection of sweet treats.
A boutique pop-up showcasing the new clothing designs will also launch separately in Soho, London, on 17 and 18 February.
ADVERTISEMENT
okay so either i’m having hunger hallucinations, or there is an actual @GreggsOfficial sausage roll in the window of Primark in Newcastle??? pic.twitter.com/WZKJhH3sZq
Visits here, however, will be strictly by invitation only – perhaps due to the fact that London is the only city in the UK that prefers Pret to Greggs, according to very important research conducted by Monzo.
Responses to the news online have been mixed, with some people very excited and others claiming they thought it must be a wind-up.
One said, “I am ashamed about my enthusiasm for this.”
Another wrote, “Is it April 1st?”
Whilst a third added, “If there’s Greggins I’ll be pissed! Won’t be better than the original though.”
ADVERTISEMENT
If there’s Greggins I’ll be pissed! Won’t be better than the original though 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/UFG7SwEVfm
The appetite for Greggs in the UK is, apparently, insatiable with the high street bakery brand achieving cult status amongst groups of all ages.
A nail artist Leeds achieved viral fame last year after creating her own Greggs-inspired nail art, complete with a tiny hanging sausage roll, whilst others have flocked to Twitter to share their own Greggs creations.
One user shared a pair of logo-emblazoned ‘Greggins’, another a set of Greggs-related band tees.
Suffice to say, creating Greggs merch is not a new idea – just up until now, it’s mostly been a DIY activity. We guess it’s just a pastry thing.
Manchester Metropolitan University announce landmark partnership with MCR Basketball
Danny Jones
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Basketball have detailed a renewed and landmark partnership that looks set to nurture the next generation of talent.
Joining forces with MMU, this is not only the latest effort by MCR Basketball to further invest in young players and grassroots sports here in Manchester, but yet another example of further education creating viable routes into the game for their sporting stars of the future.
While the two organisations already boast an established relationship, this next step in their continued teamwork should prove even more fruitful for both parties, as the still only recently relaunched local basketball side looks to raise its profile in the city.
Confirming their intent to further intertwine their youth development setup and plans to innovate pathways for players, representatives from both met to confirm the announcement this week.
🤝 New partnership to drive basketball innovation & develop future talent. @ManMetUni & Manchester Basketball have announced a new strategic partnership to advance research, education and development of basketball to inspire the next generation of talent. #RepTheCity
With existing coaching staff already working between the two and both of the male and female training camps based over at Platt Lane Sports Complex, it only feels like a natural fit.
Moreover, this increased collaboration between the two is also a promising prospect for MMU Sport, specifically, meaning much more than just the sharing of facilities at the likes of Platt Lane over in Fallowfield and the National Basketball Performance Centre at Belle Vue.
As well as pooled resources, this will also crucially create potential opportunities for those at the uni or preparing to graduate, including student internships and more.
Claire Bradbury, Manchester Basketball CEO, said in an official statement: “As basketball in Manchester enters a new era, we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.
“This is a true collaboration bringing together elite, professional basketball and leading academic sports expertise to create opportunities that support the development of players, staff and students.
Together we are investing in the future of basketball to grow the game in our region and working to establish the city of Manchester and Manchester Basketball as one of the leading basketball hubs in Europe.”
Man Met are looking pitch-perfect for the region’s leading ‘college ball’ feeder club, to use more American terminology, already.
Laura Hickman-Sparkes, MMU’s Head of Business Engagement and Partnerships at the Institute of Sport, went on to say: “Basketball is entering an incredibly exciting period, with growing participation, investment and visibility across Europe.”
For example, as well as the Super League Finals having been held at the AO Arena, the city is also most notably hosting a regular season NBA fixture at Co-op Live – a historic moment, to say the least.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Manchester Basketball at such an important time and look forward to creating opportunities for our students”, she adds, “supporting innovation through research and helping to grow the game across Manchester and beyond.”
In other MMU Sport-related news, their very own ‘Visiting Professor’, who has only just retired from the professional circuit, is also set to fly the flag for the institution and disabled athletes across the country.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester Basketball/Peter Simmons)
News
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
Georgina Pellant -
9th February 2022 
