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.
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Featured Images — CGI (via Arrowsmith Management)/Gerald England (via Geograph)
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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…
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2022 
