It’s been a long time coming, but McDonald’s has finally launched vegan ice cream in the UK for the first time ever.
And if that wasn’t good enough as it is, it’s only being trialled here in the North West at the moment.
It’s not very often our region gets to be a part of something launched by a massive multinational company that everyone else isn’t, as the case usually sees us left behind – or even forgotten about entirely, in some instances.
But, in what is bound to be brilliant news for plant-based foodies across Greater Manchester and beyond, McDonald’s has actually chosen the North West to test out its latest desserts before they hit the rest of the country, and they’re now available to get your hands on from dozens of sites throughout the region.
McDonald’s has finally launched vegan ice cream in the UK for the first time / Credit: McDonald’s UK
This means that, for a limited time only, fast food fans can walk into their nearest Maccies branch in places like Manchester city centre, Denton, Ardwick, Bury, Stockport, Ashton-under-Lyne, Rochdale, and so many more, and walk away with an indulgent vegan dessert that apparently tastes like “summer in a scoop”.
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The new McDonald’s plant-based frozen products are called ‘Scoops’, and they’re described as being “deliciously smooth and creamy”.
Essentially like the fast food chain‘s iconic McFlurry, but just without any sauces or toppings, the new ice cream-style desserts are served in tubs, come in two flavours – Strawberry and ‘Choco’ – and will only set you back an affordable £1.59 each.
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The North West-based trial is currently running in 52 McDonald’s branches.
The new iced desserts are only available at branches across the North West / Credit: McDonald’s UK
Launched yesterday (12 June), and running for the next couple of months right through to 3 September, if all goes well and the vegan dessert proves popular with us northerners, then it will hopefully be available to tuck into at all McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from 2025 onwards.
As well as the new ‘Scoop’ desserts, customers in 187 North West Maccies branches can also cool off with the new McFreezy fruit juice ice lolly at the moment too.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Emily Sergeant -
13th June 2024 
