Iceland has become the first supermarket retailer in the UK to offer a special discount for over-60s.
Acting in response to the cost of living crisis, which is putting increasing pressure on household finances, the supermarket chain has launched a new discount exclusively for their older custoers.
Available to use from Tuesday 24 May, there is no minimum spend required to get the saving. Rather, the only thing over-60s will have to do to receive their discount is show proof of age to their cashier if requested.
The 10% discount can be used both at Iceland and The Food Warehouse, which is part of the Iceland Foods Group.
Age UK recently revealed that three-quarters of older people in the UK (9.4 million) are worried about the rising cost of living.
In response, Iceland is launching the discount across its stores and The Food Warehouse stores in the hope that it will help the older generation cut down their weekly food bill.
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The ten percent discount will be available to those over sixty every Tuesday and will apply across all products that include a range of great value meal essentials.
From fresh meats such as roast pork, rump steak, andgammon joint to £1 value frozen veg, Iceland is doing what it can to help the older generation keep costs down across its product ranges.
This also includes everyday essentials, such as Typhoo teabags, Nescafe instant coffee, biscuits and whole milk.
Also available is an array of Iceland ready meals that can be cooked straight from frozen, like chicken curry with rice, cottage pie,and vegetable lasagne.
The 10% discounts will be available in-store only and to receive the over 60s discount, shoppers simply need to show proof of age at the checkout, which could be a driving license, senior bus pass, senior railcard, or ‘Freedom Pass’.
Iceland also provides a free same-day delivery service for shoppers who spend a minimum of £20 in-store, allowing customers to pick up all their fresh and frozen favourites then choose their preferred delivery time.
Iceland will then keep their shopping chilled or frozen until it’s time to deliver it later that day.
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Speaking on the new discount, Richard Walker, Managing Director at Iceland, said: “We have a long history of supporting our over 60s customers, such as when we launched ‘Elderly Hour’ at the height of the pandemic.
“The cost of living crisis has made support for these customers even more important, which is why I’m proud that we’re finding new ways to support them, including the launch of this discount. We hope it will help all those in this age category to cut costs where they can.”
Image: The Manc Group
Iceland is the first UK chain to make changes for shoppers based on age.
The 10% discount is the latest in a series of measures the supermarket has rolled out to help elderly customers.
At the start of the pandemic, the supermarket lead the way with its ‘Elderly Hour’ exclusive shopping periods. Iceland also offered £30 vouchers to those receiving state pension as part of a regional trial last Christmas.
Following the success of the trial, the retailer is now exploring a national rollout ready for Summer 2022.
Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed
Emily Sergeant
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.
The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.
£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.
One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM
As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.
It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.
The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.
This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.
It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.
Big news for the North.
Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.
A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆
“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.
“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.
“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.
“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
TGI Fridays to close even more UK locations as franchise falls further into administration
Danny Jones
Yes, American export and multinational TGI Fridays is closing even more locations across the UK following the previous batch of restaurant shutdowns.
This comes after Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the parent company which oversees the global TGI Fridays franchise, filed a third notice to appoint administrators this week.
Founded way back in 1965 and opening in the UK by the 80s – 1990 here in Manchester, to be specific – the New York-born diner brand continues to struggle all over Great Britain.
The only city centre TGIs was hit by the first raft of closures in October 2024, and now another Greater Manchester branch is on the chopping block.
TGIs Preswitch and Royal Exchange have both been shut for some time (Credit: David Dixon/The Manc)
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, a further 16 TGI Fridays restaurants are shutting down imminently amid administration.
Totalling just 33 transatlantic venues left, this also means the loss of around 450 jobs, though the company insists they believe it to be the best decision to help “reinvigorate” the brand.
In a statement, Global President of TGI Fridays, Phil Broad, said: “We’ve been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.
As per an official press release shared on Monday, TGI bosses are hoping to reassert their presence in the American bar and grill scene as well as casual dining culture with a “bold new 1-2-3 strategic vision.”
Meanwhile, you can see the full list of TGI Fridays sites closing in Great Britain down below:
It seems that the entities within the hospitality sector, no matter how big or small, are still being struck by rising business rates, inflation and the general cost of living crisis.
I suggest you speak to your team @RachelReevesMP … an emergency cut in VAT is the ONLY lever you have to save thousands of Hospitality businesses folding. Much of Europe has VAT rates 10-13% to support their Hospitality industry.
For now, at least, the now only remaining regional TGI Fridays in the Trafford Centre (which has been there since 1998) is set to stay open.
In the case of the site in Tameside, the 36-year-old spot has unfortunately closed with immediate effect.
As for those sadly now without a job, it’s absolutely gutting – sending love and support from everyone here at The Manc Group, and we hope other parties at Ashton Leisure Park will step in to help when and where they can.
This is far from the only recognisable name closing down local venues, either…
Georgina Pellant -
19th May 2022 
