Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks ahead of the country’s annual Bonfire night celebrations.
It has been confirmed that the retailer is removing products from all of its 2,300 stores across the country this year, meaning that shoppers will not be able to purchase fireworks from them, and instead, Sainsbury’s is encouraging shoppers to opt for light-up spinning wands or glow sticks in the place of the usual explosive pyrotechnics.
Blaming a ‘range of factors,’ a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We regularly review the products available in our stores and we are no longer selling fireworks based on a range of factors.
“Customers can continue to choose from a range of seasonal products, such as glow sticks and light-up spinning wands.”
The retailrer’s decision follows a Scottish survey that found the majority of people in the country supported a ban on fireworks after over 16,000 respondents gave their opinion to the Scottish government ahead of this year’s Bonfire night celebrations.
However, Sainsbury’s is not the first supermarket to ban the sale of fireworks, following in the footsteps of Coop – which has not sold them for five years.
Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks / Credit: Alexander P Kapp
Elsewhere, other supermarkets have released statements confirming that their sales will go ahead – but some will sell ‘silent’ versions this year.
A spokesperson for Asda explained their decision to sell ‘low noise’ fireworks this year, saying: “We know that many of our customers love fireworks, but we also know that some customers and their pets don’t like the noise, which is why this year we have launched a collection of low noise fireworks so that everyone can still enjoy the show.”
An Aldi spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the retailer would continue to sell fireworks before adding that it “understands the importance of animal welfare when celebrating [with fireworks] which is why our sales materials include reminders that pets should be kept safe indoors along with advice on how to make them feel secure.”
Tesco is another retailer that will continue to sell fireworks this year across all of its stores.
Dogs Trust, however, has congratulated Sainsbury’s for its decision, with a spokesperson saying: “although they can look beautiful, fireworks can be very distressing for dogs when let off unexpectedly.
“Because they are so easily accessible all year-round, dog owners are on tenterhooks as to when their beloved pooch will next be frightened.”
New data reveals a third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday
Emily Sergeant
Surprising new data has revealed that a third of Brits admits to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday.
After a long and tiring week, most of us would love the chance to clock off work a little earlier than usual on a Friday, but for a lot of workers, this isn’t always a possibility – and for some, they even have to work longer at the end of the week to make sure everything has been finished off and tied up before the weekend arrives.
But since there has been a noticeable rise in remote working and working from home, a new survey has revealed that working attitudes have changed.
Virgin Media has released new broadband data that reveals a drop in traffic on Friday afternoons during the summer months – with as much as an 8% dip between 3-5pm compared to the winter, as remote workers clock off early.
A third of Brits admit to secretly sneaking off work early on a Friday / Credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters | Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
The Friday traffic drop-off comes from Virgin Media’s broadband network analysis, which it says is a ‘reliable indicator’ of the connectivity habits of the British public.
Alongside the network data, Virgin Media also asked Brits about their work policies and working habits ij a bid to fully understand the trend.
Nearly a third (30%) of Brits say they have a formal early Friday finish in place during the summer, but despite almost half of UK adults (48%) saying they’re not authorised to finish early on a Friday, 32% have admitted to regularly logging off with or without official permission.
Surprising new data has revealed Brits’ working habits / Credit: Chuttersnap (via Unsplash)
Many Brits have also confessed to working ‘on the move’ on a Friday afternoon too.
15% admitted to having worked from the train station as the weekend creeps nearer, as well as 14% from the park, 10% from the pub, and many as 30% of 18-24-year-olds worked from the car while travelling for the weekend.
“Our network traffic analysis is revealing changing workplace habits in real time as the nation takes advantage of long summer Fridays,” commented Jeanie York, who is the Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2.
“We’re continuing to boost our fixed and mobile networks so whether Brits are working from their local park, or finishing their work at home, we’re ready to keep them connected.”
Featured Image – Israel Andrade (via Unsplash)
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Tiny Manchester pub brilliantly condemns ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Daisy Jackson
A micropub in Manchester city centre has spoken out about an ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech.
The Victoria Tap, a tiny little boozer at Manchester Victoria train station, strongly condemned any racist, homophobic or sexist conversations taking place in its venue.
The pub said ‘there is absolutely no room for it’ within its walls.
In a statement – which has been met with praise from customers and followers – they added that anyone bringing hate speech to the pub ‘can let the door kick you on the way out’.
The Victoria Tap wrote: “We’ve noticed an alarming rise in racist, homophobic and sexist slurs/comments/conversations lately and we just want to say that there is absolutely no room for it here.
“This is a safe space for everyone.
“If you, or someone in your group, want to disturb this philosophy, you can let the door kick you on the way out.”
The Victoria Tap has brilliantly condemned ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Praising their statement, one person wrote: “Great to read this. There is NO place for this. All public spaces should be welcoming.”
Another said: “Pubs should be welcoming environments for people of all walks of life. There’s no room for misogyny, racism or discrimination of any kind. Those who espouse those thoughts need a good hard look in the mirror.”
Someone else commented: “That’s how I see the Vic Tap. Great place for a safe quiet pint. Keep up the great work guys as it’s a fantastic venue.”
The Victoria Tap opened at Manchester Victoria back in 2023, completely transforming a space that was previously a bin store.
As well as its cosy interior, it has a small beer garden which overlooks the tram tracks in and out of the train station.
It’s operated by the same team behind the Piccadilly Tap and the even newer Oxford Tap.
We know exactly where we’ll be heading for our next pint now. Good work, Victoria Tap.
Georgina Pellant -
19th October 2021 
