Major UK supermarkets provide updates on delivery services
Several of the major UK supermarkets have issued statements in response to the growing volume of website traffic; providing updates for customers hoping to get food and drink dropped off on their doorsteps.
As it turns out, the great Scramble For Delivery Slots of April 2020 wasn’t just an infuriating flash in the pan, after all.
Six months down the line, we’re all back at square one: Staring at the delivery pages on supermarket websites and hitting the refresh button with one hand whilst crossing our fingers with the other.
Joy.
As cases rise and restrictions increase, more and more people are turning back to home drop-off services – whether its due to isolation, shielding, or to avoid social interaction with others wherever possible.
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Several of the major supermarkets have issued statements in response to the growing volume of website traffic, offering updates for customers hoping to get food and drink dropped off on their doorsteps.
Here’s what some of the major brands have had to say so far.
Same-day delivery isn’t available from Tesco right now, but at the time of writing there are slots available with three to five days.
Tesco is prioritising services for customers in isolation – and there’s an option to let the driver know you’re isolating so you don’t have to come into contact with them.
Tesco shopping doesn’t arrive in bags as standard anymore, “so you’ll need to choose to get your shopping in bags when you check out.”
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The bag charge is 40p.
The supermarket stated: “We know that it’s difficult right now to get a delivery slot for online shopping. We’re at full capacity for the next few weeks, so if you’re able to shop in-store safely instead of booking a delivery, it would be a great help. This will allow us to start freeing up more slots for the more vulnerable.
“We’re looking at every opportunity to increase the number of slots available. As we increase our capacity, we’ll also set aside more of these slots for our most vulnerable customers.”
At the time of writing Asda still has a number of slots available for delivery in Manchester – but they’re filling up pretty quickly.
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The Asda Delivery Pass service is currently not available to new customers due to high demand.
The supermarket added: “Unfortunately we cannot guarantee delivery slots to existing Delivery Pass customers either, so if you do not save money on your delivery pass, we will refund the difference automatically with an eVoucher.”
Asda has also stated that in certain circumstances they will place limits on certain products – likely in an attempt to prevent that toilet roll fiasco in spring from happening all over again.
Sainsbury’s is continuing to distribute food to homes – prioritising delivery slots for vulnerable customers.
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“We have been working hard to expand our service across home delivery and we are now able to offer home delivery slots to many of our customers,” the supermarket stated.
“We’re continuing to prioritise access to home delivery slots for vulnerable customers, and are releasing new slots regularly.”
There are apparently as many as 700,000 weekly slots available across stores.
New customers can also register online for both home delivery and click and collect slots.
Morrisons delivery slots are looking pretty packed out in the city right now, but it’s still worth trying your luck as drop-offs may be more widely available in certain postcodes.
The supermarket also does pre-packed food boxes (meat and veggie) – which are great to order either for yourself or send to a family member/friend who might be isolating.
There’s also some rationing going on – with items like toilet roll and disinfectant limited to three items per person to prevent stockpilers grabbing all the goods.
Co-Op appears to have a number of slots available – although this may change as demand is expected to increase further over the coming days.
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The minimum spend is £25, and drop-off prices vary depending on where you’re getting your items dropped off.
You’ll need to sign up and register an account to arrange delivery.
The supermarket stated: “We are restricting all delivery orders temporarily to 30 items per shop, so everyone has the opportunity to get hold of those essential items they need.”
Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via City Football Group)
News
Staff at four Greater Manchester hospitals to start wearing body-worn cameras after rise ‘abusive behaviour’
Emily Sergeant
Frontline staff at four hospitals in Greater Manchester are set to start wearing body-worn cameras on their shifts.
In a move designed to protect and keep frontline healthcare colleagues safe following a noticeable rise in ‘abusive behaviour’ directed towards them, Northern Care Alliance has announced that it has made the decision to introduce body-worn cameras across all four of our hospitals in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Salford.
It’s hoped that these small cameras will help create an overall ‘safer environment’ for staff and visitors, and also allow the NHS to use the footage as evidence in any criminal or civil court action.
— Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) (@NCAlliance_NHS) March 4, 2026
They will be worn by all designated clinical staff with the aim of reducing violent incidents of threatening behaviour for both staff and other patients.
So, how will they work?
The Northern Care Alliance has explained that the cameras are only activated when a worker feels threatened and only after informing the individual involved. Once switched on, they record both video and audio, creating a clear, unbiased account of what happened. This footage can be used to support investigations and deter future incidents.
Staff at four Greater Manchester hospitals are to start wearing body-worn cameras after a rise ‘abusive behaviour’ / Credit: Pxhere
“As a team working on the frontline of emergency care, we have welcomed the introduction of body‑worn cameras as an important step in protecting both our staff and our patients,” commented Julie Newton, who is the lead nurse in the Emergency Department at Fairfield General Hospital.
“Unfortunately, incidents of violence and aggression do occur, and these devices provide an objective record that helps ensure situations are managed safely and appropriately.
“Knowing that footage can support investigations and, where necessary, prosecution gives our colleagues greater confidence and reassurance.
“Most importantly, the cameras help us create a safer, more respectful environment so we can focus on delivering the best possible care to those who need us.”
The Manc -
8th October 2020 
