Shopping

An 8ft swimming pool is being sold for £19.99 at Home Bargains

Scorcher of a summer deal.

The Manc The Manc - 19th July 2021

The only thing that can make a British heatwave more enjoyable is finding a scorching deal on a summer product to match. As luck would have it, there’s one on shelves at Home Bargains right now.

A whopping swimming pool has been spotted in the budget store – and it’s available for less than twenty quid.

The ‘Star Buys’ item – which measures 8ft by 25ins – has been widely circulated online since appearing in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains group on Facebook.

The original post was a huge hit – accumulating more than 3,400 ‘likes’ with 1,500 people flooding the comments section.

8ft swimming pools are going for £19.99 in Home Bargains right now / Image: Extreme Couponing & Bargains

As far as summer buys go, this is surely right up there with some of the best available. And it’s popped up at just the right time.

The UK heatwave – which saw England and Wales record their hottest day of the year so far on Sunday (18 July) – is set to continue into this week.

According to the Met Office, temperatures in Manchester will hit highs of 29 degrees from Monday (19 July) until Thursday (22 July), dipping slightly next weekend to 22 degrees.

Not a bad summer bargain / Image: Extreme Couponing & Bargains

If you fancy taking advantage of the sizzling weather over the next few days, it might be worth popping down to Home Bargains and seeing if you can spot one of these 8ft pools in stock.

You can use the store locator to find your nearest branch.

Shopping

Greggs brings back popular Vegan Steak Bake under ‘fresh’ new name

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Greggs has announced that one of its most popular bakes is making a comeback after unprecedented fan demand.

Veggies and vegans, happy Friday… this one’s for you.

As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.

In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.

First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.

The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.

It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.

While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, and even made a short-lived return again in early 2024, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long.

Greggs has announced the return of the popular Vegan Steak Bake / Credit: Greggs

But now, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback again in 2025 – and this time, it’s got a slightly new name and a ‘fresh’ look.

Greggs wrote on its website ahead of the Vegan Steak Bake return: “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. In our humble opinion, tasty steak-free pieces mixed with diced onions and a vegan-friendly gravy is the absolute biggest of deals.

“It’s vegan, it’s incredibly delicious and it’s yours from just £2.10. What more do you need?”

Read more:

The Vegan Lattice (Steak-Free), as it’s now called, is apparently still ‘super tasty’, despite being named something different.

It’s available to order from all Greggs sites across the UK now.

Featured Image – Greggs

Shopping

Popeyes to give out FREE viral chicken sandwiches when it opens in Manchester Arndale next week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester is getting another new Popeyes next week, and this time it’s coming to the city’s biggest shopping centre.

New Orleans-born fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® UK, has finally announced the launch date of its newest Manchester restaurant at Halle Place, on the Lower Ground of Manchester Arndale, making it the third location for the city and the chain’s 33rd opening in total this year.

Popeyes has become known for its round-the-block queues on opening day – with both the Manchester Piccadilly and Bury New Road launches attracting hundreds for their first bite of the legendary Chicken Sandwich.

This is why a ‘show-stopping’ launch day is planned for the new Arndale site when it opens from 11am next Friday (29 August), and there’ll be loads of giveaways for shoppers to get their teeth stuck into.

On opening day, not only the first three customers win the ultimate prize of free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year, but the first 50 customers in the queue will be treated to exclusive Popeyes UK merchandise and the first 100 people will bag themselves a free Chicken Sandwich. 

With both dine-in and speedy takeaway options available, fried chicken lovers will soon be able to enjoy Popeyes favourites, like the iconic Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings, Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, when it opens at the Arndale.

All of Popeyes’ chicken is marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, before it’s hand-breaded and battered to deliver that famous ‘shatter-crunch’.

Popeyes is opening its third Manchester site in the Arndale next week / Credit: The Manc Group

The new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich will also be available from opening day, following huge demand from fans for its return to the menu.

The Sandwich is joined by the return of the bigger-than-ever Hot Honey range, featuring the brand-new Hot Honey Saucin’ Boneless, the comeback of Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings, and the Hot Honey Box Meal.

“The response to our first two Manchester restaurants has been incredible, and we’re sure our new Arndale location will be just as popular,” commented Tom Crowley, who is the Popeyes UK CEO, ahead of next week’s opening.

“The new opening marks an exciting step in our growth across the city, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience the spirit of New Orleans.”

Read more:

To be in with a chance of chomping down on a legendary Popeyes Chicken Sandwich for free of charge, you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first 100 in the queue on Arndale launch day.

Popeyes opens its third Manchester site at Manchester Arndale next Friday 29 August at 11am.

Featured Image – Supplied

More Shopping

Sale Sharks new Hacienda away kit 2025/26 seasn

Salford

Sale Sharks drop Haçienda-inspired away kit for the 2025/26 season

Pro:Direct Sport opening FC soccer store in Manchester Arndale

City Centre

Manchester chosen for first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer ‘FC’ concept store

Food & Drink

Aldi is back looking for another taste tester to send FREE crisps to

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches