News

Herd of Santas descend on Manchester healthcare clinic for pre-Christmas ‘elf check’

Joined by TV's Dr Hilary Jones.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th December 2022

A gaggle of Santas have been spotted visiting Pall Mall Medical healthcare clinic in Manchester city centre, getting their ‘elf checks’ in before Christmas.

The group were also joined by TV doctor Dr Hilary Jones, who has issued a stark health warning ahead of the festive season – especially for Father Christmas who doesn’t exactly have the healthiest lifestyle.

So scores of Saint Nicks gathered in Manchester today for an exclusive appointment with Dr Hilary ahead of their 41 million mile journey on Christmas Eve.

The private healthcare clinic on King Street, right in the heart of Manchester, will be offering health screens for everyone, with 20% off in December.

Today’s event at Pall Mall Medical was demonstrating the seasonal once-overs offered there with its ‘Santa Stop Here – Free Elf Check’.

The Santas outside Pall Mall Medical in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

It’s estimated that in one day, Santa Clause eats 2.3 billion mince pies and guzzles 138,389,578 litres of sherry – the same as 55 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or 181 million times the recommended weekly intake.

Concerned Dr Hilary, who is Pall Mall’s ambassador for health screens, said these eye-popping statistics justify Father C is in dire need of an elf MOT.

The health checks can detect ailments from prostate cancer to heart issues.

Dr Hilary said: “When you digest the figures, it’s a miracle Santa is still going strong.

Read more: Police issue update after Sterling flies home from World Cup following home invasion

“A lifestyle like his could lead to chronic fatigue at best – diabetes or heart disease at worst.

“We all love a mince pie or three during the festive season, but without sounding too much like a nutcracker he is going way Ho Ho Ho-verboard!

“Of course, Christmas is a time to indulge, but it is still smart to limit food and drink on the naughty list.

“Hopefully, Santa will take note and adopt an elfier lifestyle this year, so he doesn’t become a ghost of Christmas future next year!”

Watch more on Pall Mall Medical here:

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Look after yourselves girls ❤️ #manchester #cervicalscreening #smeartest #pallmall #cervicalscreeningsaveslives

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Dr Chun Tang Medical Director of Pall Mall, who conducted the Santas private health screens added: “There is nothing more important than health and prevention is better than cure. A private health screen can detect issues before they become a serious medical concern.”

Throughout December Pall Mall Medical is gifting people a discount on private health screens to mark the festive period.

Simply quote ‘Ho Ho Ho’ at the reception desk and receive 20% off a Well Woman or Well Man health screens throughout December, and quote WINTER10 for 10% off GP appointments.

To book your health check today, contact 03300 27 26 47 or enquire online at pallmallmedical.co.uk.

Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Florence + The Machine announce massive Manchester gig on new tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Florence and the Machine have announced a UK tour with a Manchester date. Credit: Autumn De Wilde

Florence + The Machine are heading back out on a huge arena tour, with a massive gig here in Manchester.

Florence Welch has announced the UK and European tour dates in support of her sixth studio album, Everybody Scream.

As well as a show at the Co-op Live in Manchester, Florence + The Machine will perform in Sheffield, London and Liverpool, along with several other UK cities.

She’ll be joined by Paris Paloma as support across all 18 dates.

Last week, Florence released the album’s title track, ahead of the album’s release on 31 October. She’s worked for two years on this new music, calling on collaborators including Mark Bowen of IDLES, Aaron Dessner and Mitski.

She has said that this new album explores womanhood, partnership, aging and dying, inspired by her recovery from lifesaving surgery on the Dance Fever Tour.

Big hits of Florence + The Machine’s discography include You’ve Got The Love, Shake It Out, and Spectrum (Say My Name), and she’s collaborated with the likes of Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and Lady Gaga.

She’s famed for her high-energy, ethereal stage presence which has seen her sell out arenas for years.

Florence + The Machine will be back in Manchester in February 2026, performing at the Co-op Live on 20 February.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 5 September 2025 at 10am HERE.

There are also packages available with Seat Unique HERE.

EVERYBODY SCREAM UK + EU TOUR 2026

  • 6 February – Belfast – SSE Arena
  • 8 February – Birmingham – bp pulse Live
  • 9 February – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
  • 11 February – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
  • 13 February – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
  • 14 February – Sheffield – Utilita Arena
  • 16 February – London – The O2
  • 17 February – London – The O2
  • 20 February – Manchester – Co-op Live
  • 22 February – Paris – Accor Arena
  • 23 February – Antwerp – Sportpaleis
  • 25 February – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome
  • 26 February – Cologne – Lanxess Arena
  • 2 March – Vienna – Stadthalle
  • 4 March – Munich – Olympiahalle
  • 5 March – Prague – 02 Arena
  • 7 March – Krakow – Tauron Arena
  • 9 March – Berlin – Uber Arena

Read more

Featured image: Autumn De Wilde

News

New ‘postboxes of the future’ are being rolled out across the UK

Danny Jones Danny Jones Royal Mail installing new futuristic postboxes

The Royal Mail is starting to roll out its line of so-called “postboxes of the future” across the UK this year, including right here in Greater Manchester.

It has been dubbed the most important and noticeable transformation to the classic British postbox in its entire 175-year history.

The national postal service teased the modern-day upgrade earlier this year, but the revolutionary new upgrade was officially announced this week, with Royal Mail ushering in a new era of digitally-driven units that should make many lives a lot easier – at least in theory.

Although they might look pretty identical to the iconic red boxes since before the turn of the 19th century have used up and down the country, there are marked differences between the new and the old ones.

new solar post boxes great britain
Credit: Royal Mail

The biggest change made to the Royal Mail’s soon-to-be standard design is a digitally activated drop-down drawer, which will be able to fit parcels as big as a shoebox, hopefully saving us Brits on a fair few trips to the post office.

You will be able to scan a barcode via the updated Royal Mail app to activate the drawer for larger items; meanwhile, there will be a separate slot for letters and smaller packages.

Additionally, the new range of high-tech postboxes will also be solar-powered, helping the public limited company chase its ‘green’ targets.

Now owned by parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS) – who also oversee Parcelforce Worldwide – following the UK government’s approval of its historic sale to Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský at the end of 2024, the group as a whole is undergoing a significant overhaul.

Britain’s new solar postboxes were first trialled back in April in four towns located throughout the Hertfordshire region: Letchworth Garden City, Ware and Hertford. A fifth was later installed in Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, too.

Despite being quickly considered a success on the whole, the initial design featured an entirely black top, with polls of civilians and Royal Mail themselves agreeing that keeping them red all over was more in keeping with the brand.

It’s like the old school phone box, isn’t it? We can’t picture it any other way.

Speaking in a statement, the Royal Mail‘s managing director of ‘out-of-home and commercial excellence’, Jack Clarkson, said: “We are all sending and returning more parcels than ever before.

“This trend will only continue as online shopping shows no signs of slowing, particularly with the boom of second-hand marketplaces. There are 115,000 postboxes in the UK located within half a mile of 98% of addresses, making them by far the most convenient network of parcel drop-off points in the UK.

“Our message is clear – if you have a Royal Mail label on your parcel, and it fits, put it in a postbox and we’ll do the rest.”

The new generation postboxes are now being made permanent in the same locations, with Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester next.

Keep your eyes peeled on the streets as they’ll soon be making a debut in your area.

Read more:

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Featured Images – Royal Mail (publicity pictures)

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