There isn’t much more to say about the past 15 months or so that hasn’t already been said by this point now, right?
2020 was unlike any other year in recent memory, with life as we once knew it completely flipped on its head, but despite restrictions easing over the past couple of months and confirmation expected later today that Britain’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ will actually happen on 19 July, 2021 has felt like much of the same.
It really is no surprise that many are eager to escape that Groundhog Day feeling by getting some holidays booked in then.
Travel Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News last month that: “It is possible in this pandemic for things to move and change quickly… [however, these changes also] mean there is a little bit of relief for the travel industry and for people who wish to get away.
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“It won’t be quite like it was in 2019 and the old days, but we are moving in a positive direction.”
Considering the uncertainty that’s still involved in booking a holiday abroad in 2021, it’s understandable that people are choosing to plan ahead and look to 2022 when it comes to booking trips and time off work instead.
You can secure a whopping 45 days off work using just 18 days Annual Leave / Credit: Dan Gold (Unsplash) | Flickr
As you’ve probably worked out, the key is all to do with Bank / Public Holidays and the days that fall either side of those nine pre-scheduled days off.
Where the weekends fall in 2022 also plays a significant part in it.
Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 December: Boxing Day & Bank Holiday
Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December: Annual Leave
Saturday 31 December 2022 & Sunday 1 January 2023: Weekend
Monday 2 January 2023: Bank Holiday
It’s worth noting that before you rush to book all these days off, you should check your employer’s policies on Annual Leave and keep in mind that they don’t actually have to give you paid leave on Bank / Public Holidays.
You can find out more about what you’re entitled to on the gov.uk website.
Featured Image – Piqsels
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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)
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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 -
5th February 2021 
