The winter months are now here in full force, and much of Greater Manchester has woken up to some crisp weather in recent days.
After shoppers were seen flocking in their thousands to their nearest Primark store last September in the hopes of getting their hands on the viral £14 ‘Snuddie’ – which is basically an oversized hoodie that’s made out of a fluffy, teddy bear-style blanket material – budget supermarket retailer Aldi is now taking warming loungewear to the next level.
With those chilly temperatures set to stick around a little longer, Aldi is now selling a heated dressing gown, and it’s already proving to be a sought-after winter warmer.
Available both online, and from the classic ‘middle aisle’ in Aldi stores up and down the country, the Kirkton House Heated Coat is made out of a soft flannel fleece and has double layer heating, with nine different temperature levels.
A description for the dressing gown on the Aldi website reads: “Fight off the winter chills with this Kirkton House Heated Coat.
“While the weather turns cold outside you can remain warm.
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“This soft, cosy and heated coat not only looks great, but is practical too, and all you have to do is wrap it around you, set your ideal temperature and enjoy that warm and cosy feeling.”
The Kirkton House Heated Coat is made out of a soft flannel fleece and has double layer heating / Credit: Aldi UK
The best bit? It will only set you back £34.99.
A post about the heating dressing gown shared to the ever-popular Coupon Mama UK page on Facebook has not only amassed a whopping 4,000+ enthusiastic comments in less than 24 hours, but some shoppers are giving it rave reviews too.
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One shopper said: “Really pleased with this blanket. I have the grey one and it’s lovely and soft, and heats up quickly too which is what I wanted. Great for home working.”
If that last comment is anything to go by, then people looking to get their hands on the dressing gown will need to keep their eyes peeled and their fingers crossed as they head on down to their nearest Aldi store, and you can check the opening times of your local branch via the Store Finder here.
You can grab the Kirkton Heated House Coat in store and on the Aldi website.
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
ITV is reviving an iconic music trivia gameshow Name That Tune from the 70s
Emily Sergeant
ITV is set to revive one of the most iconic music-themed gameshows of all time for a new generation.
That’s right – Name That Tune is making a comeback.
Based on the successful US format of the same name, and airing in the UK on its original run from 1976 through to 1987, before being rebooted for the first time by Channel 5 from 1997-98, Name That Tune is being revived for the third time and is set to hit screens on ITV early next year.
If you’re unfamiliar with the premise of the show, Name That Tune sees contestants pitted against each other as their music knowledge is put to the test in a series of fast-paced rounds that featuring tracks from some of the world’s best-loved music artists and bands across every genre, all building towards a nail-biting finale.
Competitors will be tasked with correctly deciphering iconic riffs, melodies and lyrics from some of the biggest songs on the planet.
Set to be presented by Alison Hammond, and with a studio audience singing along, the show’s reboot will invite viewers at home to play from their living rooms, making it the ultimate soundtrack for all generations.
Every round is designed to challenge music enthusiasts by asking them just one simple question – can you name that tune?
“As a massive music lover, my biggest challenge as a host will be trying not to grab the mic and start singing along when one of my all-time favourite tunes comes on,” commented Alison Hammond as she was announced as the host for the reboot.
“And trust me… that will take serious self control.
“I grew up absolutely loving the original show so being part of this now feels like a real full-circle moment. I cannot wait to get into the studio, put the contestants through their paces, and see who really knows their music.”
ITV has told viewers to expect the show to be ‘bigger, louder, and more feel-good than ever’ once it returns in January.
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2022 
