It’s been a long time coming, but McDonald’s has finally launched vegan ice cream in the UK for the first time ever.
And if that wasn’t good enough as it is, it’s only being trialled here in the North West at the moment.
It’s not very often our region gets to be a part of something launched by a massive multinational company that everyone else isn’t, as the case usually sees us left behind – or even forgotten about entirely, in some instances.
But, in what is bound to be brilliant news for plant-based foodies across Greater Manchester and beyond, McDonald’s has actually chosen the North West to test out its latest desserts before they hit the rest of the country, and they’re now available to get your hands on from dozens of sites throughout the region.
McDonald’s has finally launched vegan ice cream in the UK for the first time / Credit: McDonald’s UK
This means that, for a limited time only, fast food fans can walk into their nearest Maccies branch in places like Manchester city centre, Denton, Ardwick, Bury, Stockport, Ashton-under-Lyne, Rochdale, and so many more, and walk away with an indulgent vegan dessert that apparently tastes like “summer in a scoop”.
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The new McDonald’s plant-based frozen products are called ‘Scoops’, and they’re described as being “deliciously smooth and creamy”.
Essentially like the fast food chain‘s iconic McFlurry, but just without any sauces or toppings, the new ice cream-style desserts are served in tubs, come in two flavours – Strawberry and ‘Choco’ – and will only set you back an affordable £1.59 each.
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The North West-based trial is currently running in 52 McDonald’s branches.
The new iced desserts are only available at branches across the North West / Credit: McDonald’s UK
Launched yesterday (12 June), and running for the next couple of months right through to 3 September, if all goes well and the vegan dessert proves popular with us northerners, then it will hopefully be available to tuck into at all McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from 2025 onwards.
As well as the new ‘Scoop’ desserts, customers in 187 North West Maccies branches can also cool off with the new McFreezy fruit juice ice lolly at the moment too.
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo and they’re so cute
Emily Sergeant
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo… and they’re really flipping cute.
Born to parents Maris and Albert in late summer, the three rock hyrax pups – only affectionately known as ‘chaos potatoes’ – have just passed their first vet check with a clean bill of health, and now weigh roughly 350g.
Hyraxes are found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, where they live among rocky landscapes and are most active in daylight.
The litter includes two boys and one girl, and keepers at Chester Zoo have decided to give them potato-themed names – Russ, Spud, and Jackie.
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Currently, the three pups are a fraction of the size of the adults, which can weigh up to 4kg, but despite their small stature, they have an unlikely relative.
Believe it or not, rock hyraxes are actually a part of the same evolutionary group as elephants, as well as sirenians, which are the family of aquatic mammals that includes dugongs and manatees.
“Hyraxes are one of those species that you have to look for, but once you’ve seen them, they are fascinating to watch,” explained Megan Carpenter, who is a Keeper at Chester Zoo.
“The pups are little chaos potatoes. They are much more energetic than their parents and sometimes get the zoomies, darting about and testing their climbing and parkour skills.
“In contrast, the adults often wedge themselves into corners and grip on to steep rock faces for hours at a time. They’re incredibly well adapted to living among rocks and are much better climbers than you might expect.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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A TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Do you think it’s too early for the ‘C word’? Never mind, you’ve already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn’t exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner – but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right – Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there’s arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that’s charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it’s now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films – including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Emily Sergeant -
13th June 2024 
