24 Urmston businesses have launched a unique advent calendar to help the local economy
But, after being forced to close down and subsequently suffering huge losses, the group have decided to do an 'Indie Advent' - whereby one business is the focus of a virtual campaign on a separate day, and each offers a special treat hidden behind their ‘advent door’.
Local businesses have been amongst the worst hit during the coronavirus pandemic – so two dozen Urmston companies have decided to do something about it.
Two years ago, several small businesses in Urmston got together to form ‘Indie Urmston’ to try and increase footfall and sales in the area.
But, after being forced to close down and subsequently suffering huge losses, the group have decided to do an ‘Indie Advent’ – whereby one business is the focus of a virtual campaign on a separate day, and each offers a special treat hidden behind their ‘advent door’.
Copyright Alison Groves Photography
Running from the 1st-24th of December, the treats range from the release of a new product to a special offer for their advent day.
Indie Urmston said: “From restaurants and pubs to coffee shops, retail stores, hairdressers and beauty salons, there is a real mix of independent businesses involved in Indie Advent, with the overriding objective to encourage people to shop local this Christmas and support independent businesses fighting for survival in Urmston.”
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At its halfway point, the businesses involved have already announced impressive offers such as 35% off at Little Yu boutique, and Prairie Schooner Taphouse’s 12 beers of Christmas.
Get Chucked Burger
Scott Power, co-owner of Get Chucked and founder of Indie Urmston said: “Urmston is very much an up and coming place and the high-street is full of independents, so basically we saw that and we thought, Urmston is going to be better if we bring more people to the area and share the love.”
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Coronavirus has eliminated a huge portion of the footfall that generates profit for businesses when they are allowed to be open, so this project is hopeful that it can decrease some of the damage done for the businesses in Urmston.
Scott said: “When people hear about a business potentially not doing so well, There is very much a rallying spirit that goes around they pull together in support. And I think the whole Indie Advent event is geared towards letting people know that these places are still here.”
Copyright Alison Groves Photography
The independent businesses involved in Indie Urmston include; Little Yu Boutique, Kin Bakehouse, The Barking Dog, What’s the Catch, Ixia Flowers, Scrumptious, The Larder at 7, Nikki & Co, Music for the Soul Records, Prairie Schooner Taphouse, Fred’s, Poppies 11, Kelder, Get Chucked, Thomas Carter Opticians, The Steamhouse, Rose & Bumble, Astoria Bar & Restaurant, BrauHaus, A Cut Ahead, Lockette’s Fashion, Craft Brewtique, The Retreat and Showcase Studios.
Daily updates can be found @indieurmston on Instagram.
Business
How to get 55 days off work in 2024 using only 25 days of annual leave
Emily Sergeant
Whether you can believe it or not, we’ll be getting ready to say welcome in December by this time next week.
And that also means in won’t be long before 2024 arrives either.
2023 has been quite the year, and with the working world getting ready to wind down for the festive season, many are no doubt already looking ahead to the new year, and planning all the holidays and time off work they want to book.
Fancy making the most of it though? For those looking to play their cards right and hack the system a little bit, travel insurance price comparison platform PayingTooMuch has worked out a way to secure yourself a whopping 55 days off work using just 25 days of your annual leave allowance – and it’s pretty impressive.
With most full-time employees who work a five-day week having a minimum of 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid annual leave each year, travel experts at the company have figured out how these people can effectively double their time off in 2024.
Here’s how it works.
There’s a way to get 55 days off in 2024 using only 25 days of annual leave / Credit: Behnam Norouzi | Marissa Grootes (via Unsplash)
January
Saturday 30 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024 – To extend your new year celebrations, you’ll want to book four days off at the start of the year for a total of nine days off.
Easter
Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April – With Good Friday falling on 29 March next year, you can enjoy a long Easter break of 16 days by only booking eight days off.
May
Saturday 4 May to Monday 12 May or Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June – Thanks to the two bank holidays in May, there’s two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave.
August
Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September – Here you can book just four days off in August to gain nine days off for a summer holiday.
December
Saturday 21 December 2024 to Tuesday 1 January 2025 – To end the year on a high and give yourself the chance to properly enjoy the festive period with family and friends, you can book five days of annual leave to gain 12 days off in total.
There’s also loads of health-boosting benefits about taking time off from work / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya (via Unsplash)
PayingTooMuch also spoke to Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins to explore the health-boosting benefits of going on holiday and taking time off from work.
“One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress,” Lorna explains.
“Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing.
“A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life not only helps you to clear your mind but can also help to improve your sleep quality as you’ll be feeling more relaxed.”
BBC addresses ‘exceptional circumstances’ leading to Top Gear’s indefinite hiatus in statement
Emily Sergeant
The BBC has spoken out on the “exceptional circumstances” leading to its decision to rest Top Gear for the foreseeable future.
The broadcaster confirmed yesterday that the popular motoring show would be taking an indefinite hiatus.
It comes after former Lancashire and England cricketer, turned popular TV personality and presenter, Andrew Flintoff – more commonly-known as ‘Freddie’ – was involved in a horror crash while filming at Top Gear’s test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey back in December 2022.
The Preston-born sportsman sustained “serious injuries” during the incident, and was subsequently airlifted to hospital for treatment.
Although the BBC said at the time that his injuries were not life-threatening, sources close to the former England cricket captain revealed he’d been left “psychologically traumatised” following the incident, and would likely “never return” to Top Gear filming.
The BBC has made the decision to take Top Gear off air for the “foreseeable future” / Credit: Freddie Flintoff (via Instagram) | BBC
Now, the BBC has issued a statement on its decision to “rest” the series for the time being.
The broadcaster said it “remains committed” to the massively-popular series’ three current hosts, which also includes Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris, but that resting the show for the “foreseeable future” is “the right thing to” given the “exceptional circumstances”.
The BBC’s statement reads in full: “Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future.
“The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this.
Former cricketer turned TV host Freddie Flintoff was involved in a crash while filming Top Gear in 2022 / Credit: The Hundred
“We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”
The broadcaster has, however, assured fans of the show that all other Top Gear activity – which includes international formats, digital, magazines, and other licensing – remains “unaffected” by this indefinite hiatus.
Flintoff has now been appointed the Head Coach of the Leeds-based men’s Northern Superchargers cricket team, it was confirmed last week.