Another year, another chaotic Boxing Day in the Trafford Centre…
While many of us choose to spend our Boxing Days in our pyjamas eating cold turkey, or visiting the relatives we’ve not had chance to see yet this Christmas, for some it’s the chance to dive head-first into the shops.
Many big retailers slash their prices straight after Christmas, offering bargain-hunters a chance to scoop up clothes, electricals, beauty and more for less.
While Black Friday may have overtaken in terms of discounts and scale in recent years, there’s still something about the Boxing Day sales that lures people out of hibernation and into the shops
Yesterday, things looked like they were going to be off to a quiet start at Trafford Centre, with only a few hardy shoppers in the shopping centre before anything was even open.
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People have shared a video of a long queue forming outside Lush from 7.30am, but otherwise it looked like things were going to be calm.
Silly thought.
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Unfortunately I work in Trafford centre and witnessed this at 7:30am. People queueing for Lush!
By mid-afternoon, videos started to emerge that showed the Trafford Centre packed with Boxing Day shoppers.
Some people shared videos of products scattered along floors and displays, with large queues outside popular shops like Sephora and JD.
One person wrote: “My claustrophobia said no.”
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Another said: “Whoever said go Trafford Centre on Boxing Day you owe me an apology. Actual chaos.”
Someone else said: “I work in jd there, bad day in the office.”
Inside the Trafford Centre on Boxing Day 2024
Other people reported having to park on the pavement because the Trafford Centre parking was so full (this is definitely an exaggeration and you should never ever park on the pavements), and someone even said they saw a fight break out.
One smart person said: “Went at 8am absolutely no one there in and out got exactly what I needed.”
It honestly all looks not too bonkers compared to some years, but we all love a moan, eh?
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Would you ever brave the Trafford Centre on Boxing Day?
Tesco reveals what the UK’s most popular meal deal was in 2025
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has revealed what the UK’s most popular meal deal combination was in 2025, and some newbies have taken the top spots.
We all know meal deals are a classic lunch option for hungry office workers and for those looking for something quick to grab on the go, and it’s fair to say Tesco’s is one of the most popular on the market – but which combination was the most popular over the past 12 months? Which meal deal was the most commonly-picked from supermarket shelves in 2025?
Well, after last year saw a change in both the main and snack categories, this time around they have stayed the same and it’s actually the drink option where we see a change.
For the second year running, the Tesco Chicken Club Sandwich was the most popular choice of main, while the Tesco Egg Protein Pot took the top snack title.
Tesco has revealed what the UK’s most popular meal deal was in 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group
It’s time, however, to wave goodbye to the Coca-Cola (500ml) bottle, which has taken the title of the nation’s favourite meal deal drink for the past three years now, and say hello to the nation’s new favourite drink… a can of Red Bull.
When it comes to the North West’s favourite combo, the snack and drink choices remain the same to the rest of the UK’s, but the main is slightly different, as we favour a Tesco Just Ham Sandwich instead.
As always, the meal deal statistics for 2025 were revealed as part of Tesco’s annual ‘Clubcard Unpacked’ series, which is basically like ‘Spotify Wrapped’ but for Clubcard customers, giving loyalty card members a unique insight into what they shopped for and how much they saved over the last year.
The series also gives Clubcard holders the chance to find out what their personal favourite meal deal combination was in 2025, and see how that compares to the rest of the nation.
You’ll just need to open your Tesco Clubcard app on your mobile to find out, or you can head to the Tesco website here and login to your account.
Results are available now for a limited time only.
As well as getting to find out their own most-bought meal deal items, this year’s video also shows Clubcard members further insights into how they shopped at Tesco last year – from their most frequently-purchased products, to how many points they saved and spent.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Shopping
Top Northern Quarter vintage shop Gone Fishing is closing – with one final, massive sale
Daisy Jackson
Gone Fishing Vintage, one of the Northern Quarter’s top vintage shops, is closing for good after one final weekend in Manchester.
The popular shop will be going out with an almighty sale, offering 50% off everything in store on 10 and 11 January.
Gone Fishing has carved out a niche thanks to its menswear-focused, curated range of second hand fashion, often sourced from Italy.
You’ll always find a quality selection of brands including Stone Island, CP Company, Burberry, and Moschino.
And it’s caught plenty of eyes during its time on Oldham Street – just last year, Drake popped into Gone Fishing to buy himself a vest.
But now owner Seb Dixon has confirmed he’s closing down the shop – and soon.
He said it’s been a ‘f***ing tough decision’ but Gone Fishing has ‘outgrown the space’.
In a video shared to Instagram, he announced an ‘everything-must-go’ sale with half-price clothes this weekend, kicking off from 11am on Saturday 10 January.
Seb said: “Quick announcement – I’m closing down the shop. This might come as a bit of a surprise to you, but unfortunately it’s true.
“After doing this for so many years, it’s been a f***ing tough decision.
“So I started it as a passion project and it’s not the fact that I don’t have passion for it anymore or have fallen out of love with it or you guys. I just want to take it in a slightly different direction.
“I just feel like we’ve outgrown the space a little bit and how creative we can get in there, and creativity was the main reason why I started the business.
“So this weekend is our final weekend in the shop and we need to get rid of everything. So we’re doing 50% off all items.
“I reckon it’s gonna be a little big mad – we’ll open at 11 but I’d say get there a little bit earlier.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who shopped with us, supported us over the last few years. Especially the customers, we wouldn’t be here without you.
“Stay tuned as we release our new location where you can shop with us. Until then, see you on Saturday.”
Daisy Jackson -
27th December 2024 
