Leading supermarket giant ASDA has announced that it will be trialling a new vegan butcher counter at some of its stores in the UK.
Starting the trial exclusively at its Watford Store, before potentially expanding to other locations across the country, the six-month trial period will offer a wide range of vegan products such as facon (vegetarian bacon), bean burgers, and meat-free meatballs.
With pricing starting at 75p, the counter – named ‘Veelicious’ – will also serve a range of meat-free alternatives such as mock lamb and vegan ‘black pudding’, as well as a small selection of vegan cheeses, ready-to-eat meal kits and vegan staples, such as chutneys and base cooking sauces.
The idea has been brought to life following a partnership between ASDA and vegan concept creator Kbox Global.
The move comes after the chain also announced last September that it would be introducing new aisles dedicated to vegan foods at hundreds of stores up and down the UK, with a number opening up right here in Greater Manchester.
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It’s looking like the new counter will be in place in Watford from next week and is coinciding with ‘Veganuary’.
Did you hear! @Asda has announced it will trial a VEGAN BUTCHER concept at its Watford store next week 😱 The ‘Veelicious’ counter will offer a selection of products such as facon, bean burgers, meat-free meatballs and black pudding! How cool is that!#Veganuary2021pic.twitter.com/4UVgkBuJ90
In addition to the one-store vegan butcher trial, this Veganuary – a concept which encourages people to follow a vegan lifestyle and plant-based diet for the month of January – ASDA has also added 22 new meat-free alternatives to its plant-based range too.
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Speaking on the launch of the Veelicious trial, Preyash Thakrar – Chief Strategy Officer at ASDA – said: “The demand for vegan products is on the rise and we have seen a surge in people seeking out ways to easily enjoy a plant-based lifestyle.
“We recognised the importance of helping our customers with their Veganuary journey, which includes partnering with Kbox to trial Veelicious in our Watford store.
“Across our product range, we offer many options for vegans and flexitarians, such as meat-free alternatives and vegan cheeses, ensuring that our customers don’t have to compromise on quality, taste or value when following a plant-based lifestyle [but] “Veelicious will be a ‘test and learn’ trial to help us understand what resonates with customers to enable us to enhance our plant-based proposition.”
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ASDA
So, what do you think then?
It all depends on how the trial goes as to whether we can expect to benefit from this UK-first service in the future, but would you like to see a vegan butcher counter come to an Asda in Greater Manchester?
Keep your eyes peeled and see what happens.
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Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
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Mancs wanted to take part in next series of BBC’s popular Gladiators reboot
Emily Sergeant
The BBC is back casting for the next series of Gladiators, and producers are looking for Mancs to take part.
The gladiators are ready for a new series… but are the contenders?
That’s right – arguably the most exciting and energetic sports entertainment game show of all time is coming back for another series following its long-awaited reboot back in 2025, and that means that the BBC is looking for some brave new contestants to take part.
Greater Manchester residents are among those producers are calling on to consider sticking an application in.
Unfamiliar with the premise of Gladiators? The massively-popular series – which is based on an American show of the same name – sees four contestants compete in a number of physical challenges against the ‘Gladiators’, all with the aim of securing as many points as possible for the final event, which is known as ‘The Eliminator’.
Mancs are wanted to take part in next series of BBC’s popular Gladiators reboot
Contestants battle against each other to win a place in the grand final, and ultimately be crowned the champion for the series.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Hungry Bear Media wrote: “Gladiators, one of the most exciting and energetic sports entertainment game shows ever is back for a fourth series.
“We are on the look out for the bravest members of the British public who have the speed and skill to take on our superhuman Gladiators.”
With filming set to start soon, applications are now open for the new series of Gladiators, and all you need to do to be in with a chance of being selected as a contestant is being over 18 years old, and fill out an application form.
You can apply on the BBC website here, before applications close on 31 May 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2021 
