But if wine isn’t really your cup of tea – or, should we instead say, your tipple of choice – and you’d consider yourself to be more of a “self-proclaimed gin-ius” instead, then the budget supermarket retailer might have just the side hustle for you.
It’s been a long time coming, but Aldi has now launched its first ever – and the first in the UK, too – supermarket ‘Gin Club’, and is now in the process of carrying out a nationwide search for 30 gin enthusiasts to trial its award-winning gins before summer arrives.
Oh, and the best bit? Not only will the lucky recruits get to try some of the supermarket’s newest gins before they hit the shelves, they’ll also get sent them for completely free of charge.
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Aldi is recruiting gin testers and will send you bottles to try for free / Credit: Mae Mu | Olena Bohovyk (via Unsplash)
Each selected Gin Club member will receive three bottles of Aldi’s latest summer gin launches over an eight-week period.
Packages will include everything needed to craft the perfect cocktail masterpiece.
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Then, once the lucky recruits have tested each of the gins sent to them, all they’ll have to do in return is review each gin, create their very own cocktail, and share it on TikTok or Instagram using the dedicated #AldiGinClub hashtag, before getting to “sip back and enjoy”.
All reviews shared will help guide and inform Aldi’s booze-buying teams ahead of key decision-making for 2025.
Applications for the Gin Club are now open, and close on 25 June / Credit: Aldi
“We’re excited to be launching the UK’s first supermarket Gin Club,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK.
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“We’re recruiting a panel of gin enthusiasts that are passionate when it comes to cocktail creation, as Aldi’s award-winning gin range has gone from strength to strength, and this provides us with a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from our shoppers, helping to improve and develop our ranges for next year.”
Fancy it then? To apply, you’ll just need to be 18 or over, a legal UK resident, and provide 150 words explaining why you think you should be selected as an Aldi Gin Club member, as well as what your favourite Aldi gin is and what the best cocktail to make with it is.
Applications are now open, with a closing deadline of 25 June.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 50% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
29th May 2024 
