The origins of Valentine’s Day in the U.K. can be traced all the way back to the 12th century
Heart-shaped candies, supermarkets adorned with red and pink tinsel, boxes of chocolate filling every aisle, and frenzied lovers moving about the streets looking for the perfect gifts. What holiday could possibly be more near other than Valentine’s Day? For some, February 14th is a day just like any other, but for many, it’s a chance to shower the ones you love with even more affection and of course, a present or two.
If you’ve put off this year’s shopping a bit too long and find yourself at a loss for what to gift your special man, check out below the list of suggestions we’ve compiled that may just fit his personality in one way or another.
The Gamer
ADVERTISEMENT
Over 2 million people throughout the globe are active gamers whether that’s PC, console, or mobile gameplay. Given these numbers, there are high odds that your special someone may enjoy a good entertaining gaming session every now and again. Think about what kind of gaming your guy enjoys and go from there.
If he’s a PC enthusiast, a high-quality, light-up keyboard is a great option. One of the most supreme on the market today is the Corsair K100 RGB Optical which enhances gameplay like never before. Whether your guy loves playing first-person shooter games, becoming the master of his own world in city-building activities, or improving managerial status in an interactive sports game, computer gadgets like upgraded keyboards, mouses, or monitors are foolproof gift ideas for PC gamers. Even if your honey pie enjoys practicing his strategy in an online poker room, something in the category of “computer stuff” would be well received for fans of the game and heavily used during day-to-day sessions.
As far as console gamers go, raid your guy’s collection to see what he’s playing at the moment, and buy him an updated version of his favorite game. And, if you’re lucky enough, you may be able to snag him a PS5 as more restocks have recently been put in place from different retailers throughout the U.K.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Sports Fan
Completely stumped for what to get your sports-fanatic partner? Well, we’ve got you covered with a couple suggestions they will die for. First of all, in today’s tech-savvy world, if your sports lover doesn’t have a streaming subscription to watch his team’s games and tournaments, is he really even a fan? Surprise your lover with a membership to one of the best services on the market like Sling TV or ESPN+. Give the gift of around-the-clock access and you’ll never disappoint.
Another option could be to think about your partner’s favorite player whether in basketball, football, baseball, or another sport, and gift them an official jersey from that team member. They’ll wear their new apparel proudly like the extreme fan they are.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Workout Junkie
If your guy can’t get enough of the gym, there are a load of gift options that could make his workout experience even better. For starters, a pair of wireless, high-quality headphones can enhance any exercise session. Nowadays, many suppliers are developing the best of the best, making them sweat proof and completely customizable. Check out Jabra’s Elite Active 75t option, one of the most high-rated pairs out there right now.
Other ideas include accessories that can be used in everyday workout routines like medicine balls, assistance bands, mats, or weights. If you see your muscle man is in the market for some new fitness gear, you can’t go wrong with a pair of compression shorts or Flyknit sneakers.
Sunday, February 14 is a holiday celebrated in many parts of the world, known as the most romantic day on the calendar year
The Chef
ADVERTISEMENT
If your man’s hobby is cooking and he loves to shower you with delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, first of all, lucky you! In that case, you actually have a ton of gift options he will adore. From knife-sharpening sets to a cookbook by his favorite chef, the ideas are endless. You could even consider ordering him a personalized cutting board with both of your names on it so that he can be reminded of your love for him every time he’s chopping up an onion.
If by chance he isn’t in the mood to cook this Valentines Day, some Manchester-based companies are in the business of bringing sweet and savory options right to people’s doorsteps.
The bottom line: no matter how you spend the romantic holiday, the important thing is that you’ll be together.
Business
Factory International goes over budget AGAIN and now needs another £25.2m
Daisy Jackson
Factory International, the huge arts centre being built in Manchester city centre, has blown past its budget again.
The building is set to be a world-leading theatre, performance space and cultural hub, and unveiled its opening programme just last week.
Plans for the unique structure, which boasts 21m-high ceilings and an enormous warehouse-style space that can be divided up for different audiences, were first announced in 2016.
Back then, its total budget was set to be £110m and its opening date was pencilled in for 2019.
Now, it’s looking at a total cost of £210.8m – almost double its original budget – and a completion date in 2023.
Factory International. Credit: Pawel Paniczko
The flagship arts centre requires an additional £25.2m to complete the work on site, as construction costs skyrocket.
When it is completed, it’s expected to create or support around 1,500 jobs, attract 850,000 visitors a year, and contribute around £1.1bn to the economy over a decade.
Factory International will be programmed and operated by the team behind Manchester International Festival, and will act as a permanent home to the roving arts festival.
A report published on Factory International yesterday described the ‘extremely challenging wider environment the project is being delivered in’, from workforce shortages to supply chain issues to high levels of inflation.
Factory International has gone over its budget again. Credit: Pawel Paniczko
It cites figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which show a 26.4% increase in prices for all construction work since June 2021.
This includes a 58.2% increase in the price of concrete reinforced bars, a 46.3% increase in the cost of fabricated structural steel and a 28.3% increase in the cost of precast concrete products.
The report states: “While the existing budget made reasonable allowances for contingencies, it could not have predicted the exceptional circumstances with steep levels of inflation and considerable supply chain challenges that are still being experienced as Factory International approaches its opening in June 2023.”
The Executive and Manchester City Council will be asked to approve a budget increase of £25.2m, £10m of which will come from contingency funding set aside in the Council’s capital budget. The rest will come from borrowing.
More than £105m of the £210.8m total budget is funding from the Government and Arts Council England.
£55.4m has come from Manchester City Council, with the remainder coming from commercial and philanthropic fundraising.
Separately, the local authority will also underwrite Manchester International Festival’s increased costs for the fit out of the building which have also been driven up by soaring inflation by up to £7.8m. This is ‘critical to enable the venue to operate’.
The Council hopes that selling the long-term naming rights agreement for Factory International will help to recover a significant proportion of the costs.
Cllr Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Factory International will be an incredible asset for Manchester. Not only will it strengthen the city’s reputation as a nationally and indeed globally important centre for the arts, it will also help stimulate and sustain our fast-growing cultural sector which contributes £1.4bn to our economy every year. It will act as a major training centre for Manchester people pursuing careers in the arts.
“Factory International will further create and support jobs in the hospitality sector by attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city every year. Sitting in the heart of the St John’s Quarter it has already helped attract investment and job creation here and will continue to do so.
“It will be inclusive and inspiring – with plenty of free and low cost events and opportunities for Manchester people to get involved – as participants as well as audiences.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s an audacious project and with that comes challenges, especially when set against a volatile economic backdrop, but the ongoing benefits for many years to come will far outweigh the one-off cost. We must not lose sight of that.”
The report will be considered by the Council’s Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee on 11 October and the Executive will be asked to approve the increased budget when it meets on 19 October.
Featured image: OMA 24
Business
Toys R Us is back in the UK four years after going bust
Daisy Jackson
Christmas has come early for kids and parents across the nation – Toys R Us is officially back up and running in the UK.
The retailer collapsed back in 2018 and closed its 100 stores, leaving gaping holes in retail parks up and down the country.
But now the beloved toy shop chain has made a return – sort of.
The Toys R Us website has relaunched today, with more than 14,000 toys and games up for sale.
Shoppers will find world-famous brands like Lego, Marvel, Crayola and Play-Doh back on sale.
The new website features a return from the retailer’s legendary mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, who was photographed standing in one of the empty shops with a suitcase back in 2018, breaking everyone’s hearts.
The old Toys R Us in ManchesterGeoffrey the Giraffe saying his goodbyes
A message says: “The world’s greatest toy shop is back! We can’t wait to develop and grow with you and your loved ones, over the coming weeks, months and years!”
There don’t appear to be any plans at present to bring back bricks-and-mortar toy shops.
The retailer closed due to a change in consumer habits and, like many traditional physical stores, a struggle to keep up with the rise of online shopping.
It teased that it would be making a comeback back in January.
At the time, Louis Mittoni, head of Toys R US ANZ, said: “Tailoring our successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK echoes the success of other e-commerce ‘platform play’ businesses that have delivered growth and value due to their ability to quickly and cost effectively expand their software, processes, partner relationships and brands into new countries.
“Since Toys R Us’ return to Australia in June 2019, we have scaled quickly as customers returned to the much-loved brand and our e-commerce model has proven its success.
“My team and I are looking forward to developing technical and commercial relationships with UK-based vendors and partners and to engage with the many loyal Toys ‘R’ Us former customers and fans in the UK.”
The Manc -
8th February 2021 
