Sainsbury’s has announced that it is set to close two Argos distribution sites in the UK within the next three years.
The supermarket retailer is set to shut both its depot in the Heywood area of Greater Manchester, and its warehouse in Basildon in Essex, by 2026 – with more than 1,400 jobs believed to be at risk due to these closures.
On top of this, the retailer’s three remaining Habitat showrooms will also close later this year, as Sainsbury’s makes plans to launch a replacement digital showroom.
The group’s office in Milton Keynes is also to close as a response to the rise of flexible working.
Both Sainsbury’s workers, and those who work for Wincanton as part of an outsourced contract, may see their roles cut over the next three years due to distribution site closures, but only a small number of Habitat workers should expect to be affected, and no jobs at the corporate office HQ are at risk, the retailer has confirmed.
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Sainsbury’s says the closures are all part of its plan to “create a simpler business”.
Sainsbury’s to close huge Argos depot in Greater Manchester / Credit: Sainsbury’s
“We previously set out our intention to integrate our Argos and Sainsbury’s logistics networks,” explained Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts, “and over the last few years, we’ve been working hard to transform this network as we make our business simpler, more efficient and more effective for customers.
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“This also allows us to reduce costs, so we can invest where it will make the most impact for our customers.”
He added that the company understands this will be “an unsettling time for affected colleagues”, and assured that “we will support them however we can throughout this process,” – with workers impacted by the decision now able to “explore alternative roles” within the group.
The retailer’s announcement of the site closures has not been received well by industry figures, with officials at trade union Unite saying there’s “no economic justification” for it.
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Unite has said there is no “economic justification” for the announcement today (Tuesday 28 February) that Argos/Sainsbury’s plans to close two warehouses with the loss of over 750 jobs.
“Management has yet to provide any form of business case for the loss of these jobs,” said Unite national officer, Matt Draper.
“This is an incredibly wealthy company which should be investing in its loyal workforce rather than dumping workers in pursuit of short-term profits, and if Sainsbury’s doesn’t drop its closure plans, then Unite will pursue all avenues to preserve employment at these sites.”
He added that the union will “put forward an alternative business case to the company” to keep its members in their jobs.
Featured Image – Sainsbury’s
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Stockport County’s Christmas dinner in a cup returns for 2025 as part of new festive food range
Danny Jones
We can’t believe it’s rolled around again already, but with the festive period well underway and the big day just a few weeks away, Stockport County have brought back their viral ‘Xmas dinner in a cup’for 2025.
Better still, the County Courtyard has seen some new Christmas specials added to its food menu, too.
The local football club are absolutely flying in League One at the moment, having spent plenty of time at the top of the table already and still well and truly contesting those promotion/play-off spots.
If you’re a Stopfordian, that’s plenty of cause for celebration right there, but with the Christmas dinner in a cup also up for grabs once more, the holiday season literally couldn’t taste any better right now.
For those who’ve never seen it before, it’s exactly what it says on the tin – well, cup: a little Sunday dinner in a County-branded takeaway coffee cup, complete with a healthy pour of gravy and pretty much all the trimmings you could hope for.
Yes, including sprouts, because all of you who still don’t touch them need to grow up already.
Currently priced at just £4.50, not only does it contain virtually all the major food groups (barring the customary matchday pints, of course), it might just be one of the healthiest and best value-for-money bits of footy scran around – certainly in Greater Manchester, anyway.
But, as mentioned, that’s not all this year; Stockport are also serving up the new festive hot dog and even a ‘leftover Christmas curry’ in a bowl, which might even be more warming on a cold night at Edgeley Park than the Xmas dinner in a cup or clinging onto a flask of Bovril.
Anyone else craving that curry with a cheeky bit of bubble and squeak now?
It’s also worth noting that you’ll only be able to get one of those on Boxing Day, by the way, when the Hatters host Lincoln City in the league.
As for the rest of it, County fans can get their hands on this seasonal scran for the first time this year at the weekend when Dave Challinor’s side take on Barnsley at 12:30pm, and two of the three specials will then be served at home every game over the holiday period.
Speaking of random Christmas food creations, there’s another limited-time-only and potentially divisive example that we’ll also be sampling this December…
Aldi has launched the world’s first lickable pigs in blankets wrapping paper… for some reason
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has launched its latest Christmas creation, and this one’s arguably wackier than anything else it’s brought out before.
There’s absolutely no denying that pigs in blankets are a staple of festive feasting, with millions of the little delicacies consumed throughout the UK each Christmas, but have you ever wished you could turn the taste of those pigs in blankets into a lickable wrapping paper to wrap all this year’s gifts in? Yeah probably not… Aldi‘s made it though.
It’s anticipated that more than 561 million pigs in blankets are going to be eaten over the festive period, new research has found, which is an average of 10 per person.
But if you just can’t bare to leave the taste of pigs in blankets behind, Aldi’s new wrapping paper is set to give shoppers a fun and tasty twist when it comes to gift-giving.
The limited-edition wrapping paper is inspired by Aldi’s very-own range of pigs in blankets, and is described as capturing the smoky, savoury flavour and smell of the festive treat, with stickers that peel back to reveal a truly unique ‘lickable’ experience.
Aldi has launched the world’s first lickable pigs in blankets wrapping paper / Credit: Simon Jacobs/PA Wire (via Aldi UK)
Not only does the novelty wrapping paper taste and smells like pigs in blankets, it also looks the part on presents too with its pastel pink design, festive holly, and snowflake patterns.
“Pigs in Blankets are a highlight of the festive season… so we wanted to create something special to celebrate the Christmas classic,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, as the new creation launches.
“This unique, lickable wrapping paper is the perfect way to spread extra joy on Christmas Day.”
Want to get your hands on it then? Unfortunately, it won’t be as simple as popping to your nearest Aldi store and picking up a roll, as with a creation as unique as this, there’s only going to be limited stock and a special shopper competition to win it.
To be in with a chance of winning, you simply need to email [email protected] with your full name before the deadline at 11:59pm on 1 December.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2023 
