More than 250 people have stuck an application in to be considered for the role of one of Blackpool Zoo’s seagull scarers.
In what is undeniably one of the most unique job opportunities out there on the market at the moment, you may remember that Blackpool Zoo put out an advert last week recruiting for a team people to dress up in giant inflatable bird suits and shoo away “nuisance” seagulls from the seaside town.
The so-called ‘human bird scarers’ will be working within the zoo’s Visitor Services team, and will ultimately be tasked with intimidating seagulls in an attempt to try and keep them away from the main visitor dining areas, as although the zoo stresses that it “loves all animals”, bosses say the birds have become a huge pest after stealing food from both visitors and animals in their enclosures.
There’s five roles up for grabs, and those with successful applications will get to earn themselves £10.80 an hour.
More than 250 people apply for job to scare off seagulls at Blackpool Zoo / Credit: Dave Nelson (via Blackpool Zoo)
As far as a job specification goes, Blackpool Zoo said those taking on the roles would need to be “outgoing” and “comfortable wearing a bird costume”.
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The job advert posted by Blackpool Zoo last week reads: “As a seaside resort, Blackpool is not short of seagulls. However, the seagulls are proving to be a bit of a nuisance when it comes to trying to steal food from our visitors and our animal enclosures.
“We need to do what we can to keep the seagulls away from our main visitor dining areas.”
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Now, just over a week after the job advert went live, Blackpool Zoo has revealed that more than 250 people have applied for the role – with applications being sent in from “all over the world” and as far away as Australia, India, Uganda, and war-torn Ukraine.
The zoo says the seagulls have become a huge pest after stealing food / Credit: Boudewijn Berends (via Flickr)
Khaled Fawzy, the zoo’s section head for birds and events, told the BBC: “It’s gone crazy since the advert went out. We’ve had applications from all over the world with people sending videos of themselves dressed as bananas, pineapples, and of course birds.”
He did admit, though, that “some of it has been a bit bizarre,” – although, you could argue that that was to be expected.
Featured Image – Dave Nelson (via Blackpool Zoo)
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Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
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First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
4th May 2023 
