A company in Manchester has decided to give all of its staff the day off on Friday to show how much it “appreciates” them.
As this Friday (3 March) is Employee Appreciation Day, Sellick Partnership – a recruitment company with a base right here in Manchester city centre – has made the, presumably pretty popular, decision to give its all its staff across the UK an extra day off to properly mark the annual holiday.
Founded in 2002, Sellick Partnership has seven offices across the UK and employs over 100 people.
The company specialises in recruitment services in the finance and accountancy, legal, HR, housing and property services, actuarial, procurement, change and transformation, ICT and digital technology, wealth and investment management, and senior and executive sectors.
It was named as one of the best places to work in the UK last year – and if it’s handing out free days off, then perhaps it’s not that hard to see why, right?
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Next Friday is #EmployeeAppreciationDay and in line with our tradition of giving back, we will be giving every member of staff the full day off. We are grateful to everyone that works at Sellick Partnership not just on Employee Appreciation Day, but every day! pic.twitter.com/5qxkHRx3us
In previous years, the business has allowed its employees to finish early and enjoy a free lunch on them, but this year, the firm has decided to take things one step further to show how much staff are appreciated by giving them an extra day off, not included in their annual leave allowance.
“We are dedicated to creating an environment that enables each individual to thrive,” said managing director Jo Sellick told the MEN.
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“The secret to the success of Sellick Partnership is the people that we employ.
“We want all staff to come into the office in the morning and enjoy their time at work, as that’s what it’s all about, so we try to create a platform that will make a difference to the lives of our people and in turn we hope this will help many more, by providing a tailored and compassionate approach to recruitment.
Manchester company to give all staff the day off on Friday to show ‘appreciation’ / Credit: Sellick Partnership
Sellick Partnership explained that any staff member already off on annual leave this Friday will be able to cancel their holiday request, and part-time members of staff who use Fridays as a non-work day will be given permission to take the time back on another day in March.
“The effort and dedication from all our staff doesn’t go unrecognised,” Jo Sellick added.
“This is just another way we can say we are truly thankful.”
Featured Image – Sellick Partnership
Business
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Business
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2023 
