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.
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th June 2024 
