Iceland has announced that all mums will be banned from entering its supermarkets across the UK this Sunday.
“That’s why mums go to Iceland”… or this Mother’s Day, that’s why they don’t.
The budget supermarket has been known nationwide for its popular marketing slogan and catchphrase – which was mostly made famous by Warrington’s-own Kerry Katona on its 2000s TV adverts – but for one day only, this Sunday on Mother’s Day, the retailer is flipping that phrase on its head, and is, instead, banning all matriarchs from its stores.
Mums will be prevented from entering all Iceland and Food Warehouse stores across the UK this Sunday 10 March, with the supermarket encouraging them to “put their feet up” instead.
Announcing the so-called ‘ban’ on its official social media platforms yesterday, Iceland wrote: “It’s a fact that mums go to Iceland, however for one day only, we’re asking that they don’t go to Iceland. Sunday 10 March is Mother’s Day, and we don’t want any mums visiting our Iceland or The Food Warehouse stores.
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“Instead, we want those icons that should be celebrated this Sunday to put their feet up.”
Despite the Mother’s Day ‘ban’ – which is set to be lifted on the morning of Monday 11 March – the supermarket did add one small caveat at the end of its order to mums: “Having said that, if you need some emergency Yorkshire puddings, you’ve ran out of toilet roll, or you want to treat yourself to a tub of ice cream, we’ll let you in for a couple of minutes…”
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Icleand bosses say the one-day ‘ban’ is being introduced to “deter hero mothering figures” from shopping on what should be a day they are “celebrated and treated like royalty”.
“We know how important mums are and we know that mum’s shop at Iceland,” admitted Richard Walker, who is the Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, “but this Mother’s Day, for one day only, we’re asking that they don’t.
“Instead, send your loved ones, or alternatively, put it off till Monday.”
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Iceland is banning mums from its UK supermarkets on Mother’s Day / Credit: Iceland
While many have seen the comical side of Iceland’s one-day-only themed stunt, and have viewed it only in good nature, others on social media have been a little more critical and have pointed out its lack of inclusivity when looked at it on the flip side.
Suggesting the retailer should take the post down, one person commented in response to Iceland on Instagram: “This isn’t going to land well. Mum’s who’ve lost babies? Single mums? Mums who work in your store? Working single dads can come then, even though they do it all already? Families without mums? Same sex families? Oh I could go on.”
Another critical commenter wrote: “What if they need food and they’re a single mum with a kid under 18 and there’s only them who can do the shopping? Good thinking Iceland.”
The retailer is encouraging mums to “put their feet up instead” during the one-day ban / Credit: Iceland
“Nice idea, but sadly so many flaws to it too,” a third wrote simply.
To counteract the critiques, others have defended the supermarket and emphasised that they see it for the “joke it is”.
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“People need to learn to take a joke,” one commenter wrote on Instagram, while another said: “It’s tongue in cheek guys! Calm down and take it as that… jeez, some people love drama,” and a third wrote: “People have forgotten how to have fun and laugh”.
Despite the mixed response, and given the fact that it’s highly likely that it was intended as a marketing stunt and nothing more, Iceland doesn’t seem to be backing down from the move or retracting its statement.
Featured Image – Iceland
Shopping
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Pear)
Shopping
Manchester City auctioning off exclusive ‘artefacts’ from Pep Guardiola’s office
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to auction off a limited number of used and/or signed items previously owned by legendary football manager Pep Guardiola himself.
The iconic Catalan head coach may have now left the club, but it’s fair to say that supporters are still grieving the bittersweet goodbye – and if you’re one of them, then this might be a good way of clinging on to him and the memories.
Teaming up with MatchWornShirt, an authentic collectables company that deals in memorabilia used by the sporting stars themselves, fans will soon be able to own a ‘piece of Pep’ if they so wish as part of this very special merchandise dump.
So, if you’re a collector of signed or match-worn merch, here’s a taster of what’s up for grabs:
Several items from @PepTeam's office are up for auction 🤝
Yes, should they be willing to put in the winning bid, Blues can genuinely own some of Guardiola‘s office knick-nacks, a tactics board and notes scribed on by the man himself, as well as his actual chair and even his whistle.
Does that count as kissing him? That’s not for us to say…
There is more standard fare, of course, such as worn training kits, photo frames, programmes and other printed media – almost all of which are signed by the 55-year-old.
On the other hand, if you’re so inclined to go for the super rare stuff, you can even buy his desk lamp and go-to coffee cups; whatever floats your boat.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss left Etihad Stadium this summer after 10 years as a Cityzen – with the club even releasing a dedicated ‘Decade Collection’ in his honour – and it now looks as though he could be set for his next job.
His former assistant turned replacement and ex-U23s/Elite Development Squad (EDS), Enzo Maresca, is now in place and making his first impressions on the City squad; safe to say it’ll take some work to leave the same lasting legacy as his mentor.
As for the auction, the club have labelled these exclusive trinkets as “artefacts”, promising that you won’t get many other opportunities, if any, to claim this kind of ‘KeePepsake’.
Meanwhile, in other MCFC news, the City Football Group (CFG) are taking steps to ensure local fans have easier access to matchday tickets with a new postcode lottery, of sorts.
Emily Sergeant -
5th March 2024 
