Shopping

Asda and Tesco become first UK supermarkets to unveil festive food ranges for 2024

But it's... AUGUST.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th August 2024

Asda and Tesco have become the first two UK supermarkets to unveil their festive food ranges for 2024.

Sure, it may quite literally be August right now, and we’ve still got the rest of summer, and the small matter of a bank holiday weekend, Halloween, and Bonfire Night to get through first, but it seems two of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are already looking ahead to the most wonderful time of year.

That’s right, whether you can believe it or not, Asda and Tesco have already unveiled their festive food ranges for Christmas 2024.

Although we didn’t want to bring up the ‘C’ word nearly five months before the festive season is actually upon us, here we are – and considering Greater Manchester hasn’t really had much of a ‘summer’ so far this year, maybe there’s no harm getting in getting into the festive spirit a little earlier than normal?

Thankfully, there’s some real mouthwatering treats on the menu to make these early releases worthwhile.

ADVERTISEMENT
Asda and Tesco have unveiled their festive food ranges for 2024 / Credit: Tesco | Asda

Over at Tesco, you won’t just find the traditional turkey and Christmas pudding on the lineup this year, as joining those are inventive alternatives like a Dry Cured Bone-in Gammon Joint with a Black Cherry Glaze, a large Winter Berry Pork Pie, a Brie, Bacon & Cranberry Galette, a Roasted Vegetable & Cranberry Star, mini Pigs in Blankets Yorkshire Puddings, and even a whole range of festive-themed party foods and cheese selection.

For those with a sweet tooth, Tesco is serving up a Belgian Chocolate & Sea Salted Caramel Snowy Semi Freddo, and a Speculoos and Belgian Chocolate Highwall Cheesecake, both from the ‘Finest’ range among others.

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s also a giant Christmas star-shaped chocolate panettone to tuck into too.

There’s some real mouthwatering festive treats on the lineups this year / Credit: Tesco

Can Asda rival that then?

Well, aside from the usual classics, just like Tesco, the supermarket has some snazzy alternatives on the lineup including the a Slow Cooked Beef Shin, a Welsh Lamb Shoulder with Fig, Whiskey, and a Spiced Honey stuffing, and even a cleverly-named Charcuter-wreath, alongside lots of party food and ‘picky bits’.

ADVERTISEMENT

These include Butter Chicken Samosas, Prawn & Veg Dim Sum, and Tempura Prawns, all from the ‘Exceptional’ range.

There’s classics, inventive alternatives, and new and returning fan-favourites / Credit: Tesco

When it comes to desserts and sweet treats, shoppers are spoiled for choice once again, with some of the stand-outs being the fan-favourite Exceptional Panettone, and the new Raspberry, Pistachio & Passionfruit Pavlova Wreath from the ‘Extra Special’ range.

Both supermarkets also have a wide range of vegan and ‘Free From’ food options available across their ranges this year, so no one need miss out on the festive feasting fun.

Read more:

It’s expected that we won’t have long to wait now until the rest of the other major supermarkets get into the Christmas spirit too, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – Tesco

Shopping

Northern Rail have announced their latest flash sale with train tickets available from just £2

Danny Jones Danny Jones Northern Rail train tickets flash sale

Finally, we’ve got some good news on the train lines once again, as Northern Rail has just announced the return of their fantastic flash sale, which sees literally millions of discounted tickets made available to the general public.

With the last promotion from Northern having delighted Brits up and down the country, the train company are once again offering affordable tickets, with prices starting from just £2.

The only catch is that you’ve got just a few days to make the most of the savings.

Confirming the flash sale across the Northern Assist social media accounts, the rail operator has now detailed both start and end dates, as well as the valid travel dates.

Sharing more details in a full press release, Northern has revealed that a whopping three MILLION £2 tickets are now up for grabs.

The 2025 Northern flash sale began at 8am this Tuesday, 30 September, with thousands of train journeys having already been booked.

A full list of all the routes with cut-price tickets on until Thursday, 2 October can be found HERE.

According to Northern, the top destinations with the most tickets available in Northern’s Flash Sale are as follows:

  • Manchester and Manchester Airport
  • Leeds
  • Bolton
  • Preston
  • Manchester Airport
  • Blackpool North
  • Shipley
  • Rochdale
  • Stockport
  • Bradford
  • Sheffield
  • Wigan Wallgate
  • Hebden Bridge
  • Blackburn
  • Meadowhall
  • Liverpool Lime Street
  • Skipton
  • Wilmslow
  • Doncaster
  • Ilkley
  • Hull
  • Wakefield Westgate

Although it remains an ever-essential network and the UK’s second-largest national rail service, the PR around Northern isn’t always positive when it comes to efficiency, quality and reliability.

Their estimated 2,650 daily lines across more than 500 stations often come under fire, especially in comparison to public transport down towards the capital.

Andy Burnham calls for ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport as he slams Northern rail services

With all that being said, the arrival of the latest Northern flash sale is a much-needed plus for the firm.

Commenting on this week’s flash sale, Northern’s commercial and customer director, Alex Hornby, said: “With three million tickets up for grabs, there’s something for everyone in Northern’s Flash Sale.

For our existing customers, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit somewhere new, and hopefully, we can encourage those who don’t currently use the train to give it a try.

We believe the Flash Sale will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to the countryside and stunning coastlines. Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment – once they’re gone, they’re gone!” You can grab your tickets online NOW.

Once again, the Northern Rail flash sale runs for just three days and closes this Thursday, 2 October, with tickets valid for travel strictly between Monday, 6 October and Friday, 24 October 2025. 

Tickets can be bought on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices and on ticket machines in stations managed by Northern – please make sure to check terms and conditions.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity picture/El Pollock (via Geograph)

Shopping

Co-op opens new store dedicated entirely to ‘food on the go’ in Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Bit of a sucker for a meal deal? Well Co-op has probably just launched your perfect concept then.

The supermarket has grown its brand-new ‘on the go’ micro store format with the opening of a new site right here in Greater Manchester, located in the ever-growing Stamford Quarter over in Altrincham.

Co-op’s ‘on the go’ concept is dedicated to serving food to take away and eat on the go by offering breakfast, lunch, and tea in a range of exciting new formats – from traditional meal deals, right through to the inclusion of a hot food counter and deli-inspired selections.

According to the retailer, the new Altrincham store has ‘taken cues’ from around the world to meet consumer demand for fast, high-quality food all throughout the day.

Co-op has opened a new store dedicated entirely to ‘food on the go’ in Greater Manchester / Credit: Richard Grange (Supplied)

Open right from 7am through to 7pm, breakfast is served first and foremost, before transitioning to lunch and then onto tea – or dinner, if you’re fancy – with the quick and convenient online home delivery also available all day long too.

After 7pm, this is when the store makes the move to online trading only, which most-importantly includes Co-op’s Irresistible Pizzas delivery service, where the pizzas are cooked and delivered in the community in minutes via Co-op’s partners Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.

Co-op says it has grand plans to roll-out this new format of store in other high footfall locations across the UK.

The new micro store serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as delivery food / Credit: Richard Grange (Supplied)

“The whole team is excited to launch our new concept store in the Stamford Quarter,” commented Gary Williams, who is the Director of Store Optimisation at the Co-op.

“We continually look for new ways to get closer to our customers and deliver added convenience, and our new concept brings together an innovative blend of food-to-go propositions, with freshly prepared products designed to stand out in this vibrant and thriving community.

Read more:

“Whether in store or online, we cater to ‘on-the-go’ meals throughout the day, at breakfast, lunch and dinner you will find delicious products, quick service, quality and value, and all in a great convenient location.”

Featured Image – Richard Grange (Supplied)

More Shopping

Sostrene Grene

Shopping

Beloved Danish lifestyle retailer Søstrene Grene to move into Manchester Arndale

Cheshire Oaks announces exclusive student night - with free coaches to get you there

Cheshire

Cheshire Oaks announces exclusive student night – with free coaches to get you there

The UK's only football shirt themed vintage fair is in Manchester this weekend

Manchester

The UK’s only football shirt themed vintage fair is in Manchester this weekend

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches