Shopping

Fancy new Asda with UK’s first ‘extra special deli counter’ opens inside old Hale Barns Booths store

Fancy town, fancy Asda.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th May 2024

A fancy new Asda has opened its doors inside the former Booths unit in one of Greater Manchester’s most affluent towns.

A fancy town has called for a fancy Asda, by the sounds of things.

After it was announced earlier this year that the big Booths store in the Trafford town of Hale Barns would be shutting up shop – which was formerly one of the supermarket‘s largest stores in its portfolio – a brand-new Asda branch has now taken over the unit and officially opened its doors to the public this week.

The 11,000 sq ft Hale Barns store is one of the largest Asda has opened in recent years, according to the retailer.

Once stepping foot inside the new store, shoppers will find more than 8,000 branded and own-label favourites stocked – including fresh food, fruit and veg, frozen favourites, and cupboard essentials – as well as a brand-new store bakery serving up fresh bread and pastries baked daily, and a selection hot food will also be available from the store’s grab-and-go takeaway.

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A fancy new Asda with the UK’s first ‘extra special deli counter’ has opened inside the old Hale Barns Booths store / Credit: Asda

There’s also a Panku Sushi counter and a fan-favourite Asda pizza counter inside.

Nott only that, but this new store is also the retailer’s first store in the UK to house an ‘Extra Special’ deli counter – which offers a selection of cheese and meats from Asda’s premium range.

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All 65 employees who previously worked at the store when it was Booths have now transferred and become Asda colleagues instead, and their pay has been increased significantly from £11.50 to £12.04 an hour.

And, in another way to give back to the local community, the store will have a monthly budget to support local causes and will be matched with a Trussell Trust foodbank to donate surplus food.

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Asda Hale Barns is open 7am-10pm on Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

Featured Image – Asda

Shopping

Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.

As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.

Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.

To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.

Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied

Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.

There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.

As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.

If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.

There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.

With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.

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“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”

Featured Image – Supplied

Shopping

UK supermarkets urge public to donate as foodbanks brace for a ‘tough Christmas’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

UK supermarkets are calling on the public for donations as foodbanks brace for a “tough Christmas”.

As the nights begin to draw in, the temperatures drop by the day, and the festive season nears closer, some shocking new research by Neighbourly shows that foodbanks are preparing for a tough Christmas – with 80% of foodbanks reporting an increase in demand, particularly from families with children, as well as the elderly.

Because of this, many foodbanks fear they will not have enough supplies to support their communities throughout the festive season.

On top of this, almost a third of foodbanks have reported difficulties in recruiting volunteers too.

With only a few weeks to go until Christmas is here, Aldi is among the UK supermarkets calling on its shoppers to help make a difference, by releasing a list of the most in-demand items for donation – with tinned food, festive treats, and breakfast cereals being near the top of the list.

UK supermarkets are urging the public to donate as foodbanks brace for a ‘tough Christmas’ / Credit: Aldi UK

Other items on the list include tea and coffee, juices and soft drinks, rice and pasta, cooking sauces, condiments, UHT milk and more, as well as pet food and non food-related items like toiletries, cleaning products, and children’s toys.

Shoppers can donate items via the community donation points placed near exit points of Aldi stores nationwide, before they will then be distributed to good causes.

The supermarket is pledging to donate more than a million meals to local charities, community groups, and foodbanks across the UK.

“Christmas is always an extremely busy period for foodbanks and other charitable organisations helping those most in need,” explained Luke Emery, who is the National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK.

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“We know many of our customers like to support local causes by using our in-store donation points, so we hope this list of items will help shoppers to pick the items that are most needed over the festive period.”

Featured Image – Aldi UK

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