Has it ever crossed your mind where abouts the biggest stores of each UK supermarket chain are located throughout the country?
There’s a very good chance it hasn’t, but we bet a couple of you nodded your head to that.
If it is something you’ve spared a thought for over the years, then you might be interested to know that the largest branch of supermarket chain, Tesco – which was founded in 1919, and is the UK grocery market leader, as well as the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues – is actually right here in Greater Manchester.
Yes, that’s right – Boasting 17,230 square metres (185,500 sq ft) of floorspace, Tesco Extra in Walkden is the largest branch in the UK.
ADVERTISEMENT
Greater Manchester has a lot to be proud of, so we might as well add this to the list.
Tesco Extra shops are the largest model in the Tesco family and, as a rule, are mainly out-of-town hypermarkets that stock nearly all of Tesco’s product ranges – occasionally alongside partner ranges – although some are in the heart of town centres and inner-city locations, and in Walkden’s case, the store is connected to and can also be accessed via the adjoining Ellesmere Shopping Centre.
ADVERTISEMENT
Caddick Constuction
At the Walken Extra – which is popular among local residents – shoppers will find a cafe, pharmacy, Tesco Mobile shop, Vision Express, Travel Money, and menswear, womenswear and kidswear from Tesco’s fashion brand F&F Clothing, alongside the usual grocery offering.
On top of that, there’s also both hot and cold deli counters, and customers can even get their hands on a range of Krispy Kreme doughnuts too.
No wonder it’s popular.
ADVERTISEMENT
So, there you have it – For what it’s worth, which we’re aware isn’t really very much at all, you now know that the UK’s largest Tesco is right on our doorstep.
If nothing else, perhaps you can just remember it in the bizarre instance it ever comes up on a pub quiz.
Trending
Data reveals Manchester hotel prices have ALREADY surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates
Emily Sergeant
Manchester hotel prices have apparently already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates, some new data has revealed.
Of course, absolutely nothing is set in stone yet and we are still yet to receive any form of announcement.
But with rumours having been swirling for months now that Oasis will be touring again in 2027, and several videos shared on the band’s social media platforms this week also hinting at that, it’s been revealed that searches for ‘when are Oasis tickets going on sale?’ have soared by 5,000% in the last seven days alone.
After recent data has pointed towards soaring searches for tickets, the experts at SeatPick decided to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the suspected concert nights in June 2027 to uncover if prices have surged along with the searches.
Data reveals that Manchester hotel prices have already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
And lo and behold, it appears that they have.
The ticketing platform has revealed that hotel prices have surged by up to 462% during Oasis’ rumoured concert nights in Manchester.
The rumoured weekend date of 19 and 20 June has experienced the most noticeable price surge – with a two-star hotel costing an average of £216 for just one overnight stay.
The data also reveals that the rumoured finale on the 27 June has just a £95 difference between two-star hotels (£200) and five-star hotels (£295).
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Point3D (via Unsplash)
Trending
Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2021 
