News
Sausage rolls spotted in Primark windows as Greggs announces fashion collab
Satire is dead. Long live Greggs merch.
Greggs sausage rolls have been spotted peeking out of bags and pockets in Primark window displays up and down the country, leaving some people wondering what the hell the retailer is up to.
Now, all has been revealed after it emerged yesterday that the fast-fashion chain is teaming up with none other than high street bakery Greggs for a first-of-its-kind collaboration.
Yes, believe it or not, the two appear to be releasing a fashion collection inspired by Greggs’ most popular baked goods. Sausage roll hoodies, steak bake t-shirts and maybe even a tuna crunch baguette could soon become must-have fashion items (we jest, but who knows).
In 2022, we can say with some confidence that weirder things have already happened. Satire is definitely dead, though.
The high street bakery’s fashion collection will go on sale at 60 stores up and down the country, including at several Primark stores in Manchester.
Due to launch to the public from 19 February, it is set to feature 11 different items including hoodies featuring the Greggs logo and a message reading “It’s a pastry thing” printed down one arm.
The company’s social media team teased the news out on Twitter, sharing a promo video online for what was referred to as a “freshly baked collab”.
The bakery chain also announced it would be opening its biggest ever Greggs cafe inside Primark’s flagship store in Birmingham on 12 February.
The imaginatively named ‘Tasty by Greggs’ will seat 130 covers and offer all its usual customer favourites such as sausage rolls, steak bakes, pizza slices and a selection of sweet treats.
A boutique pop-up showcasing the new clothing designs will also launch separately in Soho, London, on 17 and 18 February.
Visits here, however, will be strictly by invitation only – perhaps due to the fact that London is the only city in the UK that prefers Pret to Greggs, according to very important research conducted by Monzo.
Responses to the news online have been mixed, with some people very excited and others claiming they thought it must be a wind-up.
One said, “I am ashamed about my enthusiasm for this.”
Another wrote, “Is it April 1st?”
Whilst a third added, “If there’s Greggins I’ll be pissed! Won’t be better than the original though.”
The appetite for Greggs in the UK is, apparently, insatiable with the high street bakery brand achieving cult status amongst groups of all ages.
A nail artist Leeds achieved viral fame last year after creating her own Greggs-inspired nail art, complete with a tiny hanging sausage roll, whilst others have flocked to Twitter to share their own Greggs creations.
One user shared a pair of logo-emblazoned ‘Greggins’, another a set of Greggs-related band tees.
Suffice to say, creating Greggs merch is not a new idea – just up until now, it’s mostly been a DIY activity. We guess it’s just a pastry thing.
Feature image – Twitter / Geograph
News
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
“Love you forever and always!”
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Featured image: GMP
News
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
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“On occasions when enforcement is needed, those who are intent on causing harm will have to answer for their actions.”
Featured Image – GMP
Georgina Pellant -
9th February 2022 
