Money-savvy shoppers have spotted one of this year’s most popular garden accessories being sold at a discounted price at Home Bargains this week.
Have you seen the garden rugs trend taking off in recent months?
Kitting a patio, decking, or backyard area out with a decorative rug that’s usually seen inside a home may have seemed like a pretty bizarre thing to do a couple of years back – but it’s a design trend that’s been gaining a lot popularity recently. And it doesn’t look to be slowing down any time soon.
As we’ve been treated to a few spells of dry weather, warm temperatures and sporadic sunshine here in Greater Manchester over the past couple of weeks, this obviously means we’ve been spending more time relaxing in our gardens.
Luckily, Home Bargains has slashed the price of its The Outdoor Living Collection: Outdoor Garden Rug – Grey just in time for the summer.
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While the must-have garden accessory does appear to be out of stock on the retailer’s website at the moment, it has however appeared in the ‘Star Buys’ section in a Home Bargains store.
And it’ll only set you back £19.99.
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A photo of the cut-price garden rug was shared on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook this week – going on to rack up thousands of interactions and comments.
Although the shopper did not share where she saw the bargain, it still seems like many are eager to head to their local Home Bargains branch in the hopes they’re lucky enough to find it anyway.
One shopper commented: “Love mine, it fits in perfectly [and it’s] so cheap.”
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Another added: “I have purchased two of these and they are lovely”, with a third offering the tip that they’re “great for indoors too when you have pets” as they’re “easy to clean”.
The Outdoor Living Collection rug is waterproof and perfect for outdoor activities / Credit: Home Bargains
According to the product description on the Home Bargains website, The Outdoor Living Collection: Outdoor Garden Rug – Grey creates a “perfect place to have a picnic, lounge in the sun or to have a few drinks with your friends”.
The rug is waterproof making it perfect for outdoor activities, and it’s lightweight too.
You can find the opening times for your local Home Bargains branch here.
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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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.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2021 
