In case you have no idea what we’re on about here, let us get you up to speed – boasting over 165,000 active members and growing by the day, the brilliantly-named Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count is a public Facebook group that brings together people from right across the country to share in the clearly-popular activity of counting the amount of chips that the restaurant chain sticks on its characteristic blue floral plates and dishes out to customers.
As bizarre as it sounds, hundreds of people share snaps of their chip portions every week.
And although the group has produced some iconic reactions and pretty unexpected stars in its time, there’s one Manchester man who’s really got everyone talking at the moment.
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Meet Boris Bennett.
Boris is boldly going where no one – or at least, where we can only presume no one – has gone before, and is currently on an important mission to collect one chip from every single Wetherspoons right across the UK.
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He may be no stranger to posting in the popular group, having had a few of his chip portion posts make an impression with people in the group – in particular, the post where he recreated the Stonehenge out of his measly chip portion – but the post about his collector’s mission, which was shared earlier this month, has amassed a whopping 12,000 interactions and over 4,000 comments from impressed foodies.
Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count boasts over 165,000 active members / Credit: Facebook (Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count)
Explaining his mission in his own words, Boris said: “Evening all. You may remember me from such fine works as the stonehenge/chiphenge post ™, but today however I bring you this.
“I am currently on a mission to collect and record one chip from every Wetherspoons in Britain, and here is what I have got so far. If you are wondering “does that bloke really walk around with a trading cards collection book full of chips?”
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“The answer is yes, yes I do.”
Alongside the detailed explanation of his mission, Boris also shared a picture of his trading cards-style chip book.
Boris also shared a picture of his trading cards-style chip book / Credit: Boris Bennett / Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count
According to the picture shared of his chip book, the Greater Manchester-based Wetherspoons’s Boris has managed to collect from so far are the Bull’s Head Hotel in Walkden, the Spinning Mule in Bolton, Mardi Gras in the Trafford Centre, the Robert Shaw in Bolton, the Seven Stars in Manchester, and the Thomas Burke in Leigh.
He’s also saved a chip from the Lord Wilson and the Cherry Tree, both in Huddersfield.
Of course, Boris’ post was an instant hit among the Wetherspoons community, with one person commenting: “I think you could be my soul mate,” and another added: “I hope there is an award for such a noble venture.”
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We do too.
Fancy following Boris on his journey then? Make sure to go over and get in on the action on the Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count page here.
Featured Image – Wetherspoons | Wetherspoons Paltry Chip Count
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Data reveals Manchester hotel prices have ALREADY surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates
Emily Sergeant
Manchester hotel prices have apparently already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates, some new data has revealed.
Of course, absolutely nothing is set in stone yet and we are still yet to receive any form of announcement.
But with rumours having been swirling for months now that Oasis will be touring again in 2027, and several videos shared on the band’s social media platforms this week also hinting at that, it’s been revealed that searches for ‘when are Oasis tickets going on sale?’ have soared by 5,000% in the last seven days alone.
After recent data has pointed towards soaring searches for tickets, the experts at SeatPick decided to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the suspected concert nights in June 2027 to uncover if prices have surged along with the searches.
Data reveals that Manchester hotel prices have already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
And lo and behold, it appears that they have.
The ticketing platform has revealed that hotel prices have surged by up to 462% during Oasis’ rumoured concert nights in Manchester.
The rumoured weekend date of 19 and 20 June has experienced the most noticeable price surge – with a two-star hotel costing an average of £216 for just one overnight stay.
The data also reveals that the rumoured finale on the 27 June has just a £95 difference between two-star hotels (£200) and five-star hotels (£295).
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Point3D (via Unsplash)
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Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th November 2021 
