Asda and Morrisons have each explained their decision to place purchase limits on some fruits and vegetables at stores across the UK.
Current adverse weather conditions in regions of southern Europe and northern Africa are unfortunately causing disruption to the growing of some crops – including tomatoes and peppers.
And with this, then added to that fact that production of some fruits and vegetables grown in British heated and covered buildings – such as cucumbers and tomatoes – was already falling, according to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), you may have noticed that the fresh produce sections at your local supermarkets are looking a little more bare than usual.
The NFU warned earlier this week that a range of British vegetables were at risk of being rationed as farmers struggle with high energy costs amid the cost of living crisis.
“I think there are going to be challenges on availability of some food items,” NFU president Minette Batters conceded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, that warning has become a reality at two of the country’s major supermarket chains.
Asda and Morrisons explain their decisions to restrict some fruit and veg sales / Credit: Asda & Morrisons
Asda announced yesterday that it has made the decision to temporarily limit the purchase of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower, and raspberries to three of each item per customer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Morrisons followed suit by saying it would also introduce a limit of two items per customer across tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and peppers from today (Wednesday).
The two supermarket chains have now given further insight into their decisions to introduce the purchase limits, and address how long they believe the limits will be in place for – with a spokesperson for Asda saying: “Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and North Africa.
“We have introduced a temporary limit of three of each product on a very small number of fruit and vegetable lines, so customers can pick up the products they are looking for.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Purchase limits come into force today / Credit: Unsplash
Ms Batters revealed that the NFU believes that vegetables grown in fields, such as cauliflowers, potatoes, and purple sprouted broccoli, are the ones next likely to be impacted by production shortages due to weather conditions in growing regions.
Other British supermarkets are understood to be considering limits similar to Asda and Morrisons, although no other restrictions have been announced as of yet.
Featured Image – Aldi
News
Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd February 2023 
