Aldi has launched a new range of pet cooling products, and it’s come just in time for what’s expected to be the UK’s hottest day of the year so far this week.
After what has been an unseasonably cold few months, temperatures have been hotting up over the past couple of weeks, and the sun has finally been starting to make an appearance in Greater Manchester now that May is here.
But this week, it’s forecasted that we could see the hottest day of the year.
With the Met Office predicting that the UK could be set to bask in highs of 25°C, those of us with four-legged friends will know that keeping our pets cool in warm weather is essential, as recent research has shown that almost 70% of dogs become unwell after going for a walk in high temperatures.
This is why Aldi says it’s giving pet owners the chance to “get ahead of the heat” with the return of of its best-selling ‘Keep Your Pet Cool’ range.
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Aldi launches new ‘pet cooling’ range just as UK prepares for soaring temperatures / Credit: Aldi
Forming part of the budget supermarket retailer’s enduringly-popular Specialbuys range, and with prices starting from as little as £2.49, some of the products in the range include a brand-new portable shower, and a handy sunshade dog bed, as well as pet cooling mats – which have previously flown off the shelves and sold out nationwide.
New for 2023, the Porta Dog Shower will set you back £22.99, and comes with multiple spray settings and an innovative design that makes cleaning your dog on the go “quicker and easier than ever before”, while the Pet Cooling Towel and Cooling Collar are only £2.49 each, and are described as being must-haves for walks during the summertime.
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Providing sun protection of UPF 50, the Sunshade Dog Bed is just £19.99 and makes relaxing in the heat outdoors safer as it elevates pets off the ground.
The new products form part of the supermarket retailer’s enduringly-popular Specialbuys range / Credit: Aldi
And to top it all off, the range even features a collection of ice-cold pet cooling toys – including a shark, bone, ice lolly, dumbbell, and donut – starting at just £2.49 each – which you’ll need to simply soak or fill the with water and place them in the freezer ready for playtime.
Aldi’s ‘Keep Your Pet Cool’ range will is now available to pre-order online, and will be making its way to the Middle Aisle of stores from 28 May while stocks last.
Featured Image – Aldi
Shopping
Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
20 December: 10am – 10pm
21 December: 12pm – 6pm
22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
Christmas: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: Closed
26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
27 December: 10am – 9pm
28 December: 12pm – 6pm
29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Featured Image – Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Shopping
Lidl reveals one of Manchester’s most-bought items in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’
Daisy Jackson
Lidl has unveiled the most-bought items in each major city around the UK, launching its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ to share the nation’s shopping habits.
The supermarket chain has gathered data on the most purchased items from 10 cities around the country, to see what the top sellers in each city has been this year.
You might be expecting a clean sweep of boring stuff like milk and bread – but no, apparently Manchester has been obsessed with… avocados.
According to Lidl Wrapped, Manchester has developed an avocado obsession, while Leeds residents have collectively purchased more than 133 million peas, and Bristol has invested in 11 tonnes-worth of coleslaw.
To celebrate the Lidl Wrapped for 2025, the supermarket is now rolling out its own wrapping paper range, and opening free gift-wrapping stations at 10 stores nationwide.
Between the 4 and 17 December, you’ll be able to have your shopping wrapped up in Manchester’s exclusive design (which, yes, will have avocados on it) so your Middle of Lidl find can switch into the perfect present.
The pop-up gift-wrapping stations will also have interactive games with prizes, like in-store discounts and a £50 golden ticket.
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’. Credit: Lidl
You can also buy the wrapping paper in packs of three for just 75p, with all proceeds donated to Neighbourly.
Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB commented: “This year, our customers have shown us once again that the weekly shop is about more than groceries, it’s about moments, surprises, and the little joys that make life easier and bring people together.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re focused on giving our customers even more to value, extra reasons to smile, and plenty of those Lidl surprises that keep them coming back for more.”
The free Lidl wrapping stations will be available from 9am while stocks last between 4 and 17 December.
‘Lidl Wrapped’ top groceries across the UK:
Birmingham – Roses
Bristol – Deluxe Creamy Coleslaw
Cardiff – 15 Welsh Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs
Edinburgh – Lighthouse Bay 2 Scottish Salmon Fillets
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2023 
