Christmas

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck is coming to Manchester – and it’s very soon

Get your skates on.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th November 2022

The arrival of the Coca-Cola Christmas advert is always the klaxon to suggest that the festive season has properly arrived – and the iconic truck is going on tour.

It was announced last week that the big festive truck would be visiting cities around the UK this winter.

But the exact locations and dates are finally being revealed.

The fizzy drink giant has been drip-feeding its upcoming tour dates and has at last announced when it will roll into Manchester.

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck is set to park up in our home city on Friday 2 December – so it’s not a lot of advance warning.

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It will be at Asda Sportcity, just north of the city centre.

The truck is on a mission to visit as many cities around the UK as possible as part of ‘The Magic of Giving’ Christmas campaign.

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There’ll be a ‘magical winter market’ setting with activities, festive food huts, an ‘elfie selfie’ photo opportunity and a chance to purchase personalised Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar and Coca‑Cola Original Taste.

Every visit made to the Coca‑Cola Christmas Truck will also help to support people experiencing food poverty, with the brand working with FareShare.

It will be donating the equivalent of up to 100,000 meals to those in need throughout the festive season.

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Coca-Cola is also collaborating with the Royal National Institute of Blind People and NaviLens to make its Christmas packaging accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

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Laura Moon, senior brand manager at The Coca‑Cola Company, Great Britain, said: “Coca‑Cola has always been synonymous with Christmas, particularly the iconic Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert. This year, the magic of Christmas is needed more than ever, and we are excited to bring back our famous truck tour to fans nationwide.

“We’re also extremely pleased to continue our relationship with FareShare and for every person that visits the Truck Tour, we’ll donate the equivalent of a meal on their behalf, supporting those most in need this festive season.”

The dates confirmed so far are:

  • November 25 – Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent
  • November 26 and 27 – Sainsbury’s, Beckton
  • November 29 – Farmhouse Inns, Glasgow
  • December 1 – Wembley Park, London
  • December 2 – Asda Sportcity, Manchester
  • December 8 to 10 – Dublin
  • December 16 and 17 – Belfast

Featured image: Coca-Cola

Christmas

Albert’s Schloss is ready to take you into the New Year in style

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia albert's schloss new year's eve tickets

One of Manchester’s snazziest party spots is taking bookings for their end-of-year bash with some of their closest and aptly named friends: New Year at Albert’s Schloss is going to be HUGE.

Albert’s Schloss has earned its title as one of Manchester’s busiest and most esteemed nights out, presenting punters with free-flowing drinks, a roaring central fire, as well as a dazzling alpine food menu options from breakfast until late.

This beloved bar and venue is also known for its incredible live music and entertainment; the stage welcomes all manner of acts, with guests singing their hearts out as they either sit or dance along wooden ‘Viking’ benches.

Even Rick Astley popped up here to give a surprise performance this Christmas party season – we can’t promise he’ll be there for NYE but we can guarantee you’re going to have a whale of a time.

Dubbed ‘Albert’s Party Time Machine’, there will be special appearances from the Queen of Egypt herself, Cleopatra, everyone’s favourite Greek emperor and mythological party animal, Dionysius, a.k.a. the God of wine-making – but it’s you guys who are being encouraged to steal the show.

For anyone coming into Manchester city centre for Albert’s Schloss’ New Year’s Eve party, they’re asking you to pull out your finest frocks and reminisce times gone by from the past year and ancient history alike, as other famous historical faces will be making an appearance.

Starting at £100 per person with bookings from 7pm, diners can enjoy a three-course set menu with a later dining slot also available at 9pm for £120 per person for those who want to eat a sit-down meal at their table a little bit later on before climbing on top of it.

Sorry— not the table, strictly the benches. For the last time (reminding ourselves just as much as you lot), you can only stand on the benches.

If you know, you know…

Food ranges from four different mains including two meat, one fish and an option fit for both veggies and vegans. Desserts come in two forms with a savoury cheese board offering and three sweet choices including pavlova, tarte and ice cream or sorbet.

Those looking to enter the venue without having to feast on any of the many food offerings can pay £45 for what’s expected to be a miraculous night.

All prices include a glass of prosecco and canapes on arrival to the party establishment for every guest before 8pm.

In true Schloss style, music will be running until late in the night with the ‘Haus Band’ ready to play out hits and well-known classics that everyone can join in on the fun with.

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It’s time to live the high life and bring in the New Year in proper beerhouse style.

You can book your spot at the Albert’s Schloss New Year’s Eve party HERE.

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

Featured Images — Supplied

Christmas

Oldham Athletic owner praised for ‘heartwarming’ Christmas gesture

Danny Jones Danny Jones Oldham Athletic owner shaking away fans hands before Christmas

Amidst all the festive fixture congestion and travel drama, the lovely side of football can often get lost this time of year, but the owner and chairman of Oldham Athletic FC has gone viral for reminding everyone of what’s important this Christmas.

The Latics faced off against Braintree Town in the National League in their last game before Christmas on Saturday, 21 December, walking away with a 2-0 win on the road to send the travelling fans home with an early stocking filler.

However, it wasn’t the result that fans and supporters all over the country have been talking about, it was a small but heartfelt gesture from Oldham boss Frank Rothwell who was in attendance for the pre-Christmas away game that has left people applauding him and the values now instilled around the club.

What a difference a bit of recognition, gratitude and simple kindness can make, eh?

As you can see, the 74-year-old entrepreneur (best known for founding the Manchester Cabins portable buildings company) didn’t just send out a Christmas message via club media or record a quick video as many other teams still struggle to put the effort into, he stayed behind to thank every single supporter.

Shaking hands and offering out hugs, all with a sincere enthusiasm and generally lovely demeanour, the Oldham native – donning his distinctive blue club flat cap – made sure to wish each and every one of them a merry Christmas before the nearly five-hour drive home.

Just downright wholesome stuff this, isn’t it?

Reacting to the video which has been reshared countless times online, one person said: “As a former Oldham resident it’s nice to see someone at the top care about the club, the residents and the town in general. It’s been a long time since that has been the case”; another added, “A nice gesture by the owner… After all, it’s the fans who make the game special.”

A third user wrote, “Oldham is a very lucky club. I had the pleasure of a chat with Frank in the tent at PP. I can honestly say one of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve met.” A subsequent reply underneath the comment read: “Hate these lot but f*** me I’m jealous, what a genuine bloke he seems to be.”

Rothwell completed his takeover of struggling Oldham Athletic back in 2022 after they were relegated from the EFL (English Football League) after 115 years and has been on a mission to get them back on their feet. He’s playing more than his part.

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Spirits were understandably low at Boundary Park back then and things are still far from perfect, but the sentiment around the club now is a much more uplifting one, as Rothwell and his board look to have really ingratiated themselves among the fans and the community.

He’s also a bit of a local legend for other reasons too, having become the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean back in 2021 and raising over £373,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK after beating his record this past February and earning the Prime Minister’s ‘Point of Light’ award. Hero.

Micky Mellon’s side were set to take on York City in their final game of 2024 on Boxing Day but the match was ultimately postponed due to intense foggy conditions which plagued many of Thursday’s games. They will now take on Hartlepool away on New Year’s Day.

You can pretty much guarantee Frank will be along to watch that one too. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the football club owners keeping the heart of the beautiful game alive.

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

Featured Images — Oldham Athletic (via X)

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