Popular British supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed it will be giving its staff a much-deserved break this holiday season by revealing that almost all of their shops will be shut for three days as part of their Christmasopening times, including Boxing Day.
In addition to being shut on Christmas and New Year’s Day as usual, Lidl has announced that nearly all of their 960 stores around the UK will also be shut on Boxing Day this year as more and more brands are looking to reward their employees with some well-earned rest during the busiest time of the year.
The German-founded European franchise is one of the biggest discount food retailers not only here in Britain but across the continent, with upwards of 360,000 employees worldwide.
With that being said, they are well aware of how much of a toll the long hours can take during the festive period and feel it’s only fair to once again give their workers an extra day off and simply encourage people to get their shopping done ahead of time.
Lidl have once again confirmed they will be shut on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Day.
As per Lidl’s own data, the stats from 2022 showed that the busiest time for shoppers during Christmas were around midday, with the highest levels of footfall being recorded between 12 noon and 2pm.
As a result, the supermarket is recommending that customers looking to avoid the crowds shop between 8am and 10am, or from 6pm onwards, which have proved to be some of the quietest times in-store over recent years.
They are also warning that the last Friday before Christmas this year, 22 December, is also likely to be the most hectic day, so don’t leave until too late if you don’t want to risk battling your way through the aisles.
However, for those of you hoping/needing to do a bit of shopping for whatever reason on Boxing Day, you can use Lidl’s store locator to check the opening times of your nearest branches.
Other affordable supermarkets and retailers such as Aldi, Poundland, Iceland and Home Bargains will also once again be shutting this Boxing Day.
And for anyone working in supermarkets, retail or hospitality during what we all know can be a very stressful and demanding time of the year, thank you in advance and we hope you have a wonderful break wherever it comes.
Cooking classes aimed at getting students ready for university are taking place near Manchester
Thomas Melia
A cooking workshop has launched just in time to teach students kitchen hacks as they prepare for university, and it’s less than an hour from Manchester.
With September just around the corner and the inevitable bedroom-packing, car-cramming, finance-faffing action already underway, there’s only one thing left to box off – cooking.
That’s where Saddleworth Cookery School steps in, with a five hour culinary experience that hopes to teach aspiring academics how to chef up some budget-friendly foodie feasts.
Located in Diggle, this cooking class will not only provide you with some essential cooking skills, but also aim to boost your confidence in the kitchen environment ahead of university.
A cooking workshop aimed at university students is taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
Throughout the session, you will learn how to prepare meals for yourself that are healthy and cost-effective, and also tailored to students and their lifestyles.
This cooking class doesn’t just show you how to batch cook a meal or two either, they also provide reassurance for students who may be anxious about food safety, storage, and preparation.
The dishes made within the workshop can be adapted and modified to suit all dietary requirements subject to prior notice – meaning veggies and vegans, this one’s for you too.
Anyone looking to advance their kitchen knowledge or start from scratch must be 16 years or older, and you can also attend without a parent or guardian.
Each participant will leave the session with a selection of recipes, as well as a shopping list, and even a goody bag containing some starting essentials to becoming a kitchen conqueror.
Cooking for yourself may seem daunting, but this kitchen has lots of positive feedback – with one user noting: “Thank you so much Pam and her wonderful, helpful and welcoming team,” while another added: “Kate taught us tons of recipes in a super relaxed and friendly setting.”
The ‘Get ready for University Cooking Class’ is taking place at Saddleworth Cookery School in Diggle across a range of dates, and you can find key info and get in touch with them directly HERE.
Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend.
The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.
#APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses following the recovery of the body of a woman from Strinesdale Reservoir, #Oldham, on Sunday 17/8/25.
Any info? 📞 police on 101 quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or contact @CrimestoppersUK.
Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information.
“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.
Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.
Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Danny Jones -
23rd November 2023 
