Royal Mail is gearing up for what is undoubtedly one of its busiest periods and you can be a part of the action this year.
The national postal service is currently hiring for a number of temporary roles across the North West.
As Christmas edges closer each year, Royal Mail gradually begins to get more bustling with people from all across the country rushing to post letters and gifts to their loved ones, which understandably leaves it needing a few extra hands to help in making sure everyone’s post is delivered on time for the big day.
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic predicted to make this festive season busier than ever before too, the service really needs your help.
Reckon you’re up to the job?
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While unfortunately none of the jobs currently available are based in the Greater Manchester region, there are a number of opportunities available in neighbouring towns across the North West, so if you’re in need of a few extra pennies and don’t mind travelling a little further, then one of these roles could definitely suit you.
So, what temporary roles are Royal Mail recruiting for at the moment then?
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Mail Sorter
Role Type:Christmas Casual
Mail Sorters are needed at several hubs across the North West.
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According to Royal Mail, this role involves unloading mail and parcels from vans, moving them around the warehouse, and sorting them into the right departments so that they arrive at their destination safely.
The job description states that successful candidates for the role will be people who enjoy working to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, are proactive and detail focused, are flexible and adaptable to work on various tasks during a shift, are able to push trolleys (up to 250kgs) and lift and move mail bags up to 11kg, and can comfortably stand for long periods of time.
Roles are currently available at the following nearby sites:
Chester Mail Centre
Warrington Mail Centre
Preston Mail Centre
Carlisle Mail Centre
No previous experience is needed for the role.
When it comes to pay, this is allocated hourly and ranges from £8.72 – £12.30 per hour.
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When you apply for the role, you will be able to select the shift patterns that are preferable to you and at most centres, there will be early shifts, lates, nights and weekends available to choose.
You can find out more information and apply for the roles here.
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Mail Processor
Role Type:Christmas Casual
Royal Mail recruiting for a number Mail Processors at its North West Hub in Warrington.
According to Royal Mail, this particular role is a rather physical and active one as it involves unloading wheeled containers from incoming vehicles, moving them to the correct despatch lane, and then loading them to outgoing transport.
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It also involves a significant amount of walking each day, which is equivalent to around five miles or more.
The job description states: “If you are 18 years of age or over, are punctual, reliable and have a flexible approach, you are the type of person we’re looking for”.
Pay for the role is between £9.60 – £12.30 per hour.
Once again, shift patterns can be negotiable but do include lates, nights and weekends, and do be aware that this role may also require you to help out with parcel processing and mail sorting too.
You can find out more information and apply for the roles here.
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Neighbourhood Festival’s return to the city centre is looking great with after revealing second wave
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and with the second wave of the lineup having just dropped, it’s looking very promising.
Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.
However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.
Judging by this follow-up batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.
As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.
Especially for us Mancs.
With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.
That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.
We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.
For instance, we’re buzzing to see the Red Rum Club boys returning to the NBHD stage once again – they never disappoint, and there are so many other guaranteed top performers on the bill. And that was just this year’s Weekener…
It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.
We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.
Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.
Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October, for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival are on sale now right HERE.
And if you’ve already sorted yours, why not read our review of NBHD Weekender ’26 down below to get you in the mood for the next two editions.
Major DJ forced to pull out of Parklife festival on doctor’s orders
Thomas Melia
A well-known techno and trance DJ will no longer be playing at Parklife this weekend, he’s announced, with just one day to go until his major set.
Anyone heading to Heaton Park over the weekend for Manchester-based festival, Parklife, may notice the lineup looks a little different after one distinctive DJ has pulled out due to doctor’s orders.
Marlon Hoffstadt, who also goes by the moniker ‘DJ Daddy Trance’, was expected to play out on the Matinée stage on Saturday 20 June from 6.30pm – 8pm.
The Germany-based act was taking to the decks right before Manchester’s own Morgan Seatree, who has become recognised for his material which is an ode to house music and is likely to be one of the busiest sets of the weekend.
Hoffstadt had two gigs this weekend; the first being Parklife in Manchester and the second Fête de la Musique in Paris, both of which he has since pulled out of in a newly-published social media announcement.
The Berlin-born music maker has reluctantly called off these upcoming appearances and justified his decision by saying: “As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first”.
To much dismay, Hoffstadt received doctor’s advice who deemed him ‘currently not fit to fly’ following surgery, urging him to rest and recover.
Marlon posted today: “I’m so sad to have to share this, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play Parklife in Manchester and Fête de la Musique in Paris this weekend.
“I recently had a surgery and, following my doctor’s advice, I’m currently not fit to fly and need rest and recover.
“I know many of you made plans and were looking forward to it, and I’m so sorry to let you down.
“As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first so I can get back to doing what I love as soon as possible.”
As much as the presence of this world-class performer will be missed, there’s still plenty of notable names set to make their mark on Parklife including Zara Larsson, Calvin Harris, Skepta and more.
The outdoor big music weekender has established itself as a rave haven with mainly dance artists and DJs making up its lineup through a variety of curated b2b sets and live performances.
If you’re after immersing yourself in some jungle music, Bradford-native Nia Archives will have you transfixed over at The Valley with her jungle-heavy tunes from 6.30pm – 7.30pm or there’s three more stages to take your pick from.
We’re sure that anyone eager to see the ‘Hands Up In The Sky’ producer live may be frustrated by this brand-new social media announcement however as Hoffstadt mentions it’s so he can “Get back to doing what I love as soon as possible”.
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2020 
