Starbucks has announced that all dairy alternatives are now available at no extra charge at branches right across the UK.
The popular chain is ringing in the new year with a whole host of new menu options, as well as by offering each of its non-dairy choices for free in any drink at any of its 1,020 UK stores for the first time ever.
Starbucks UK serves five dairy alternative options – oat, soya, almond, coconut, and its exclusive Starbucks Original™ Nut Blend, which specially crafted to pair with espresso and deliver “velvety foam with an oh so creamy flavour”.
But up until now, the only diary alternative free of charge was soya.
As Starbucks says that customisation of drinks is at its core, this latest menu change will not only provide more opportunities to personalise a drink to how you like it, but also make it even easier for customers to choose whichever dairy alternative or milk they prefer, all year round.
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Starbucks UK offers five dairy alternatives – oat, soya, almond, coconut, and its exclusive Starbucks Original™ Nut Blend / Credit: Instagram (@starbucksuk)
This new change may have arrived just in time for Veganuary, but this isn’t the only time that Starbucks has catered for those with dairy allergies / intolerances, or following vegan diets.
Last year, Starbucks introduced a vegan alternative to whipped cream – the Vegan Whipped Topping.
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A vegan reformulation of the Pumpkin Spice Latte was introduced in 2019 too.
Alongside the now-free dairy alternative range, Starbucks has launched a brand-new “beverage innovation” that’s all about the oat.
The popular coffeehouse chain is ringing in the new year with a whole host of new menu options too / Credit: Starbucks UK
Arriving in three “bold and vibrant” flavours – Strawberry & Vanilla, Honey & Hazelnut and Dark Cocoa & Orange – each handcrafted coffee in the new range has oat dairy alternative at its core, which is said to “enhance the distinctive flavour combination”.
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Starbucks also teased new dairy alternative drinks for future seasons as part of its ongoing work to expand our plant-based menu too.
And those aren’t the only thing that’s new to the menu for 2022 either.
Starbucks new vegan and veggie food options include the brand-new and exclusive Tu’NAH Sandwich – which is made with Starbucks’ first plant-based fish alternative – as well as new plant-based sweet treats, such as the Pecan & Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake, and the Chocolate & Caramel Muffin too.
Featured Image – Starbucks UK
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A 5k charity event where runners dress up as Pitbull is coming to Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Yep, you read it right the first time – a regular 5k charity run returns to Manchester this month, only this time, those taking part will be dressed up as Pitbull for some reason…
Don’t ask us, we just thought it was funny and it’s for a good cause, so why the hell not?
For a little context, this is the latest idea from Slow Run Club: a local running organisation that takes place weekly at three different locations across Greater Manchester.
We know ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself has been and gone, having played a couple of nights in Manchester earlier this year, but these lot have decided two nights of yelling ‘Timberrrr’ still wasn’t quite enough and asking those joining the October fundraising 5k to dress up like the one and only Pitbull.
In case you missed it when ‘Dale’ fever took over the city streets this past summer, bald caps, sunglasses, black felt goatees and drawn-on moustaches descended upon central Manchester as they have been all over the UK and beyond for his live shows.
Was it utterly daft? Yes. Was it still one of THE best gig crowds we’ve seen in yonks? Absolutely.
The 44-year-old Floridian rapper and resurgent pop star played multiple nights at the Co-op Live, and they were brilliant, but we’re not going to pretend that the best wasn’t seeing the sea of shiny bald heads and shades in suits and ties.
It’s rare that you see such a shared moment of abandoning inhibitions and embracing the silliness; it was genuinely so great to see, and it’s that same energy that these guys are trying to tap into. Put simply, it’s about letting go and dancing like no one’s watching.
Teaming up with fellow charity-focused running group, Run The Streets MCR, Slow Run Club (SRC)’s Pitbull fancy-dress-themed run is just the latest in a growing trend of alternative ways to get some exercise in.
After you’ve gone all ‘305’ at the Pitbull run, these Manchester runners are worth looking into as well.
Having done everything from the regular fancy dress Halloween runs to Oasis, Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA-themed runs, and many more, you’d be surprised how much you don’t care about what people think when you’re running around and dancing to tunes – especially when it’s for charity.
Once again, the Slow Run Club x Run The Streets MCR ‘Pitbull Edition’ 5k charity run takes place this month on Wednesday, 22 October, from 6:30pm onwards outside The Tap House on Circle Square, just off the Oxford Road Corridor, before setting off at a laid-back social pace.
This is the same place and time you’ll find SRC’s city centre regular meet-up every week; speaking to The Manc, founder Holly Spiers said: “We run from The Taphouse every Wednesday (just not usually dressed as Pitbull) and offer an inclusive pace as well as rest stops.”
Speaking of fancy dress, if you haven’t seen the group of four mates who made history at the 2025 Manchester Half, stop what you’re doing and read this:
These legends set an incredibly fun, wholesome and amusing world record at this year's @ManchesterHalf – all whilst raising money for @andysmanclubuk. 👏
Courteeners set for huge hometown event at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester
Danny Jones
The latest artist due to play Wythenshawe Park has been announced, with hometown heroes Courteeners set to take the stage in Manchester.
Now that is a big booking.
The Middleton-formed Manc band remain one of the biggest contemporary names to come out of Greater Manchester, and having already played to record-breaking crowds at Heaton Park, Old Trafford, and most venues in the region over the last two decades, this is just the next one to tick off.
Better still, they’re bringing some brilliant acts along with them for Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026, with the one-day festival becoming more established every year.
Courteeners, Wythenshawe Park, Manchester. Saturday 29th August 2026 +special guests @thevaccines(performing debut album 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' in full),@thecoralband,Getdown Services & Girl In The Year Above. Tickets:10am Friday 24th Oct https://t.co/AYk3UlTdlkpic.twitter.com/vQAw2ZEpd0
Who is supporting Courteeners at Wythenshawe Park?
As well as openers, Getdown Services and Girl In The Year Above, who’ll be representing Bristol and the Irish delegation respectively, there’s no chance of the warm-ups not doing their job before the headliners get underway.
The two big support acts scheduled to join the St. Jude stars for the massive outdoor gig are none other than Merseyside veterans, The Coral, as well as fellow indie favourites, The Vaccines.
Get. IN.
As if that lineup wasn’t already one of the best Live From Wythenshawe Park has seen to date, the latter are set to play their debut album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, in full – 2026 marks a whole 15 years since it was first released, if you can believe that.
You won’t be surprised to hear that their headline UK tour celebrating the same milestone has sold out pretty much across the board, with a second Manchester date added AND now an extra chance to see them live supporting Courteeners.
General admission for the show goes on sale 10am on Friday, 24 October 2025, with tickets available via Gigs and Tours.com as well as Ticketmaster; Courtneers are also donating £1 from every ticket sold directly to the Music Venue Trust, the UK charity protecting and improving grassroots music venues.
That’s what we like to hear.
Contributions like this really do go on to help keep local venues open, support up-and-coming new artists on tour, not to mention it serves as an investment in the future of live music in what is an increasingly challenging industry.
With Courteeners set to follow another big and even more iconic indie rock band already confirmed, Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026 is shaping up nicely.
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2022 
