Nothing proves the festive season its on its way quite like spotting tubs and boxes of Quality Street stocked up high on shop shelves.
But this year, what’s inside those tubs and boxes will look a bit different.
That’s because the famous colourful plastic wrapping that encases those little chocolate delights that we all love so much has been axed by manufacturers Nestlé after 86 years in a bid to make them more environmentally friendly, and ultimately, stop what is nearly two billion wrappers ending up in landfill each year.
The change to the wrapping we are all familiar with is expected to be made in time for Christmas.
The confectionary company said it believes people will respond “positively” when it unveils the new plastic-free wrappings in a few weeks time.
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So, with around 1.7 billion Quality Street chocolates said to be enjoyed every year in the UK, what is the alternative then? What should those with a sweet tooth be expecting from a Quality Street this Christmas?
Well, Nestlé has announced that, from now on, each individual chocolate will instead be coated in a vegetable-based wax – which is said to be designed to keep the sweets fresh, without hindering the recycling process in the long term.
Thankfully though, those famous bright colours are going nowhere.
This means you’ll still be able to unwrap a Green Triangle, Orange Creme, Toffee Penny, and more in the colours you’ve always known.
“Quality Street is a brand people feel very strongly about,” said Cheryl Allen – Head of Sustainability.
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“We know that opening the lid and seeing ‘the jewels’, as we call them, is really important, and we think we’ve done a really good job with the redesign and feel confident that people will respond positively.”
This is not the first time Nestlé has made changes to packaging of its products in the name of sustainability either.
“Packaging helps protect food and beverages, ensure product quality and safety, communicate nutritional information and prevent food waste,” the company says on its website.
“However, these essential requirements should not come at the expense of the planet, and that’s why we are continually developing more sustainable packaging and committed to reducing waste from packaging.”
Featured Image – Nestlé
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
“This is for all the Patricias out there, see you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate. Thank you.”
Featured Image – The Television Academy (via YouTube)
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M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th October 2022 
