It feels like we’ve been saying this for a while now, right? But with less than a week to go before it finally rolls around, the big day is bound to be here before we know it.
We all know by now that the festive season is gearing up to be a little different this year though, with the UK government having sadly conceded that “Christmas cannot be normal” amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and while it has been announced that up to three families can form a Christmas bubble between 23rd – 27th December, for a lot of people, this still means there will be friends and family members they are unable to spend time with.
This is probably why we’re all putting a little extra thought into our gift giving this time round, but for some of us though, even with all the best intentions, there are still a few presents yet to be bought.
Luckily, The Manc Store is the perfect place for those who are always on the last minute.
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If you’re looking for an opportunity to shop local and support small business this Christmas, there’s a wide range of Manchester-themed apparel pieces stocked on our site, and if you get your orders in by 17th December at 11.59pm (for Standard Delivery), or the same time on 19th December (Express Delivery), then each of these items will arrive to the front door of all UK customers before Christmas Day.
Here’s five of our favourites.
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Gail Platted Unisex Sweatshirt
£26.99
Get ‘Gail Platted’ this Christmas whether you’re drinking or not with what is possibly the greatest Coronation Street-themed jumper on the planet. With ribbed collars, cuffs and hem, this sweatshirt is a cosy solution to the cold, and is perfect for layering.
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This unisex jumper is available in sizes S – XXL, and comes in a range of four festive colours.
Coming in a stylish fit and made out of 100% cotton, this is classic t-shirt is by far one of our most popular products for kids, as is the babygrow – which is soft and cosy, fully machine washable and with lap shoulders to change your baby’s outfit easily – and are both a must-have for showing off their passion for our city.
Both the unisex t-shirt and babygrows are available in a range of sizes and colours.
Our popular ‘Worker Bee’ range comes in all sorts of variations, but one of our most popular pieces has to be this relaxed fit hoodie, which features ribbed cuffs and a front pocket, and even has a small hidden opening for earphone cord feed too.
This is our favourite hoodie of the season, for sure.
This unisex hoodie comes in a classic fit, and is available in sizes S – 5XL.
This is your chance to rep your city in our hugely-popular ‘Rainy City’ gear.
A wardrobe staple – coming in a classic style for men, and a semi-fitted style for women – these relaxed-fit t-shirts will update any look, and are part of our best-selling range, which also features sweaters, mugs and tote bags too.
There’s no better way to fly the flag for Manchester.
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This t-shirt is made out of 100% cotton, and is available in sizes S – 5XL.
‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”