News

Lidl reveal Christmas opening times as they confirm most shops will be shut for three-day period

They're keeping their staff's wellbeing in mind during the busiest time of year.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 23rd November 2023

Popular British supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed it will be giving its staff a much-deserved break this holiday season by revealing that almost all of their shops will be shut for three days as part of their Christmas opening times, including Boxing Day.

In addition to being shut on Christmas and New Year’s Day as usual, Lidl has announced that nearly all of their 960 stores around the UK will also be shut on Boxing Day this year as more and more brands are looking to reward their employees with some well-earned rest during the busiest time of the year.

The German-founded European franchise is one of the biggest discount food retailers not only here in Britain but across the continent, with upwards of 360,000 employees worldwide.

With that being said, they are well aware of how much of a toll the long hours can take during the festive period and feel it’s only fair to once again give their workers an extra day off and simply encourage people to get their shopping done ahead of time.

Lidl have once again confirmed they will be shut on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Day.

As per Lidl’s own data, the stats from 2022 showed that the busiest time for shoppers during Christmas were around midday, with the highest levels of footfall being recorded between 12 noon and 2pm.

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As a result, the supermarket is recommending that customers looking to avoid the crowds shop between 8am and 10am, or from 6pm onwards, which have proved to be some of the quietest times in-store over recent years.

They are also warning that the last Friday before Christmas this year, 22 December, is also likely to be the most hectic day, so don’t leave until too late if you don’t want to risk battling your way through the aisles.

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However, for those of you hoping/needing to do a bit of shopping for whatever reason on Boxing Day, you can use Lidl’s store locator to check the opening times of your nearest branches.

Other affordable supermarkets and retailers such as Aldi, Poundland, Iceland and Home Bargains will also once again be shutting this Boxing Day.

And for anyone working in supermarkets, retail or hospitality during what we all know can be a very stressful and demanding time of the year, thank you in advance and we hope you have a wonderful break wherever it comes.

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Featured Images — Lidl GB

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Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Clubland is returning to Manchester this weekend, and we’ve got you sorted with all you need to know so you can let your hair down.

Whether you’re ready to jump up and down for a bit of ‘Everytime We Touch’ or lose it all and go crazy over ‘Now You’re Gone’, you can do both as Clubland is in town.

Instead of waiting months between seeing your favourite artists live, this night brings them all together and pops them on one big stage for a three-hour-long festival, isn’t that handy?

Get ready to live out your Europop dreams, dance the night away and enjoy some feel-good, care-free tunes.

Clubland UK tour dates

Clubland tickets for AO Arena gig

Clubland has toured the UK numerous times and has become a firm staple in some people’s concert calendar every year.

However, fans are in luck as there are just a handful of tickets left to choose from HERE.

Clubland setlist

Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Credit: Remigiusz Józefowicz via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The gig at AO Arena in Manchester will be the closing night of the 2025 UK tour, meaning fans will be dancing like nobodies watching and soaking up all those seriously good vibes.

On AO Arena’s website, the concert is set to feature various artists, including Basshunter, Billy Gillies feat. Hannah Boleyn, Cascada; Darren Styles, Flip n Fill feat. Karen Parry, Kelly Llorenna and Ultrabeat.

Although no setlist is confirmed, based on that lineup alone, anyone attending is in for a treat.

What are the stage times for Clubland in Manchester?

AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning concertgoers can ‘Evacuate The Dancefloor’ before the clock strikes twelve, but we’re sure if you want to continue the party Manchester is always ready for a party and with an array of bars and clubs nearby, our city centre will be waiting with open arms.

Doors for Clubland are scheduled for 6pm with a start time of 7:30pm. The lineup looks to be complete and intact for now; regardless of any drop-outs/latecomers, we’re sure some of your favourite dance tunes will be pumping out through the arena’s speakers.

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How to get to AO Arena

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.

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Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

Getting there by car and parking

The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

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Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

About the AO Arena

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

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All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

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Inside the million-pound four bedroom barn conversion in Cheshire

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a million-pound barn conversion just gone up for sale in Cheshire, and of course, we couldn’t resist looking around.

This property is nestled in the idyllic village of Warburton in Lymm, just a short 40-minute drive from Manchester.

The four-bedroom, two-bath property spans over two properties, featuring a nice little detached garage and a cosy back garden.

At first glance, you may be captivated by the sheer beauty that is the grand barn-twanged canopy which overhangs the property’s driveway, but we’ve still got a barn conversion to explore.

The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.
Credit: On The Market

Titled ‘The Barn Birch Farm‘, as you enter through the front door and turn left, you’re greeted by a three-arch red brick wall which separates the kitchen from the dining space.

The kitchen is sleek black all around with a large island which also doubles as a breakfast bar in the middle of the room, which is also where the hob can be found.

Each room in this Cheshire barn conversion seems to wow us even more, and this time it’s the living room which captures our attention, thanks to the large log beams which perfectly frame the TV.

There’s an equally impressive log beam and archway which acts as a break between the main living space and a more snug seating area with a hearty fireplace taking centre stage.

If all that lounging around has you tired out, then you’re in luck as the bedroom is right next door with a large open-plan wardrobe and mezzanine en-suite.

There’s a spiral staircase that connects the bedroom to the mezz, which consists of both a shower and a bath. Very stylish and pretty lush, to say the least.

The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.
Credit: On The Market

All the bedrooms are situated under a wooden-beamed vaulted ceiling, which further adds to the character of the property – not a room goes without a sprinkle of this country-barn style.

Each of the first-floor bedrooms has its own skylight too, meaning once you’ve stopped admiring all the intricate barn details, you can opt for a bit of stargazing.

The garden is quite the sight as well, providing the barn conversion with its own mini forest and garage with not one but two undercover car parking spaces.

This barn conversion is the perfect property for anyone wanting to live out their cottage-core fantasy on a much larger scale.

Obviously, the price tag is out of a lot of our reach, but when a house looks as good as this, we can’t help but have a nosy. So, what do you make of The Barn Birch Farm? You can view all the pictures and find out more information HERE.

The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.
Credit: On The Market

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Featured Image: Supplied via On The Market

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