According to recent research on Britain’s bedtime habits, Mancunians are apparently the most sleep deprived anywhere in the country this month.
Carried out by botanical experts Cannabotech, who used YouGov survey results and search data on the nations sleeping patterns and nighttime habits from the last five years, they found that not only is January the hardest time of year to get a good night’s rest, but Mancs are seemingly the worst suffering.
Pulling data for Google Keywords Explorer and Google Trends, researchers found that Greater Manchester reported the highest influx of sleep-related search terms per capita at the start of the year.
“Absolutely knackered” is a pretty standard response whenever you ask how your co-workers are doing on Monday morning but, come to think of it, feeling almost permanently tired does feel very ‘January’.
As mentioned, it’s not just this January either, (I mean, we’re only a fortnight into 2023): half a decade’s worth of sleep-deprived search data and adjacent survey results show that at leasttwo in five Mancunians don’t get enough sleepinthe first month of the year.
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When it comes to troubleshooting why you’re struggling to nod off, our lot rank among the highestfor searching things like ‘insomnia’, ‘sleep music’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which are at their highest at the start of the year.
The NHS recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, but according to the data, just over half (56%) of the population manage to enjoy that amount in January.
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This leaves two-fifths (44%) of people in the region not getting enough rest at the start of the year, which the NHS says can lead to various short and long-term health problems, including increased stress, memory issues and a weak immune system.
What about the rest of the UK’s sleep stats?
Post-Christmas fatigue no doubt plays a part in the sleep struggles but as for why us Mancs are the worst affected, who knows? For now, let’s just chalk it up to solid graft.
As for the rest of Britain, Lancaster and East Kilbride are some of the better sleepers, reporting the lowest search volume of search terms relating to sleeping issues per-capita. Conversely, here are the top 10 most sleep deprived places across the nation:
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Manchester
Bristol
Reading
Liverpool
Birmingham
Preston
Newcastle upon Tyne
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Approximately 1% of the UK’s adult population (roughly 528,889 people) get just one hour of sleep per night in January. Now that’s a grim thought.
Google’s data shows that lots of Brits aren’t happy with their sleep throughout the year; wider search queries include ‘insomnia’, ‘why can’t I sleep’, ‘sleep music’, ‘sleep remedies’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which peak in January.
How to beat the January blues and sleep better
So how can people try and get more shut-eye? Well, while you may know a lot of this already, Cannobotech recommends the following:
Support your immune system
In winter as colds circulate, it’s important to strengthen your immune system in order to limit sleep disruption. Stay hydrated, eat plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies, and although it’s tempting to stay inside when it’s cold, physical exercise is important — you can always get a workout in at home.
Maintain a set schedule
Those drawn-out dark evenings can make it hard to switch off. Regardless, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time all year, as this will make it easier for your body to recognise when it’s time for bed. You can also invest in natural light bulbs and other forms of light therapy to make the transition easier.
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Keep stress levels low
Keeping stress levels low before bed will improve your sleep quality massively. Ways to do this include avoiding screens and winding down at least an hour before your planned bedtime, as well as setting time aside to journal or get any worries or concerns you have off your chest so they don’t keep you up.
Sleep deprivation isn’t just a pain in the arse, it can turn into a genuine health risk and lead to further problems down the line, so let’s make 2023 a better year for sleep.
If you’re struggling to get your head down, be sure to take these tips on board and we hope you get some proper kip soon.
The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Stockport County release second drop in retro range as classic ‘Romania’ shirt is revived
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have released the latest drop in their collection of retro football kits and casualwear, resurrecting the legendary ‘Romania’ shirt as the centrepiece of the new range of old school casualwear.
If you’re a die-hard Hatter, we don’t need to tell what jersey we mean or how iconic it is within the club’s rich heritage.
We are, of course, talking about the 1996/97 third strip that County players and Stockport supporters alike donned in their droves during their historic EFL Cup run.
Teaming with local town centre hotspots SK1 Records and Underbank bar, The Spin Off, for an official launch event, here’s how they debuted it to the public:
It’s anyone’s guess as to which throwback fit they’ll go with next or whether they’ll simply complete the 96/97 revival, but it’s safe to say that both have gone down a treat with the local community.
Revolving around the bright and unforgettable yellow, blue and red jersey itself – the shirt that County had to swap into before they went on to knockout then-established Premier League side Blackburn Rovers away at Ewood Park – the colourway is just as bold as ever.
Here’s a closer look at the second County Classics kit:
It’s no surprise that just like the previous instalment, replicas have been snapped up in no time, as indeed has their current third kit for the 2025/26 campaign, which also pays homage to their history.
Dave Challinor’s side hosts Stevenage Town at Edgeley Park this Saturday, 13 December, before taking on Mansfield away the following weekend – you can expect a fair few Hatters to be wearing the third strip (both the original and the re-issue) at each.
You can see more from this second edition in the County Classic range down below; all of the items are now on sale, and find out how much each piece from the full collection costs HERE.
Danny Jones -
13th January 2023 
