Boxing Day is undoubtedly one of the busiest days in the UK retail calendar.
But after what has been a year like no other in recent memory, things are set to be a little different in 2020, with a number of stores announcing they will be closing doors on 26th December to allow staff to enjoy a prolonged break over the festive period.
It comes after many major and independent retailers alike have suffered a significant drop in footfall and trade this year following two national lockdowns and ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
An increase in online shopping on Boxing Day is thus expected instead this year.
While many big name retailers have chosen to continue keeping doors open in the hopes it will still be profitable, others have opted to remain closed.
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Asda became the latest retailer to announce it will be closing stores on Boxing Day to allow staff extra time to spend with their families, with Chief Executive Roger Burnley saying that workers have “all done an incredible job” serving customers and communities in what has been “a challenging year”.
In his message to colleagues, Mr Burnley said: “But it’s also been challenging from a personal perspective as we have not been able to spend time with our families and friends, which has been hard for us all… This is of course our busiest time of year, but it was important for us to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to spend this time with those loved ones that you may not have not seen for many months so, uniquely for this year, we will not reopen our stores until December 27th.”
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Aldi and Home Bargains are among the other major retailers to adopt the same messaging.
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Full list of shops to remain closed on Boxing Day:
Asda
Aldi
Lidl
Wickes
Home Bargains
Homebase
Pets at Home
The Entertainer
Marks and Spencer
John Lewis
Waitrose
You can find further information regarding the operating hours of each major UK supermarket chain – including Asda, Aldi and Lidl – over the festive period here.
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Opening times for the rest of the festive season can be found on the website of each above retailer.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’
Emily Sergeant
Curious kids, this one’s for you… Aldi is currently looking for little ones to become its first-ever wooden toy tester.
With the sun showing its face more regularly now, and the temperatures heating up by the day, summer is very much on its way, and it won’t be long before the mini Mancs are getting to spend more time playing outdoors than in – which is why Aldi is now on the lookout for one lucky child to become its official Wooden Toy Tester.
The supermarket retailer is calling on children across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – to apply by explaining why they should be chosen and what make-believe dish they would cook up in their very own toy kitchen.
The successful winner will receive a selection of Aldi’s latest wooden toys for free to make sure they have everything they need to feel like they’re the head chef of their own garden.
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’ / Credit: Aldi
All Aldi is asking in return is a short review of each of the toys, rating them on performance and fun factor to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on future product development.
In previous years, Aldi’s wooden toy launches have been so popular that the retailer has had to put a ‘two per shopper’ limit on purchases, so as you can imagine, this makes this adorable new job role even more in-demand.
“The nation’s love for our wooden toy range is undeniable, and our littlest shoppers are our most important critics,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.
“We’re excited to appoint our first ever Wooden Toy Tester, to capture their experience and find out what makes the perfect playtime set-up, guaranteeing lots of giggles and fun.”
Fancy it then? For a chance to win the role of a lifetime, little hopefuls simply need to send a one-minute-long video to [email protected] with their name, age, location, what makes them the perfect fit for the role, and what dish they wood make in their wooden kitchen.
Applications close on 5 May, and Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17 May.
Featured Image – Aldi UK
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UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for new series
Emily Sergeant
Are you looking to move but finding the house hunting process a lot harder than you thought it would be?
Well, this could be the helping hand you need.
The UK’s biggest property show, Location, Location, Location – which has been a fixture in Channel 4’s schedule for more than 20 years at this point – is looking for house hunters from across Manchester for the new series.
First airing all the way back in 2000, if you’ve never seen Location, Location, Location, it’s fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer who head all across the UK to help buyers in search for their dream home.
Despite being on our TV screens for 26 years at this point, Kirstie and Phil have never tired in their efforts to match the nation’s hopeful house hunters with their perfect home.
For its next series being filmed this May, Channel 4 are now looking for individuals, families, and couples from Greater Manchester who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to find their next home.
The UK’s biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for its new series / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, first timer buyers, or looking for a forever home, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.
“We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year,” a spokesperson for Channel 4 said as the casting call was announced.
“Applications are now open and we’re looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil’s expertise to buy their dream home.”
The Manc -
22nd December 2020 
