Asda, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are among the supermarket retailers to release the final dates shoppers will need to book a delivery slot for in time for Christmas.
With the festive season fast approaching, many have already started to order food and drinks for the big day.
This year, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the second national lockdown taking us right up to the beginning of December, some companies and retail bodies are predicting a huge surge in present buying as shops reopen, which is why they are advising public to think ahead and order their Christmas shopping in advance as a means of keeping everyone safe.
But what about the festive food shop? What is the final cut off date for ordering the Christmas feast ahead of the big day?
A number of major UK supermarket retailers have already released their last chance order dates, along with publishing advice for shoppers hoping to stock up for Christmas in a COVID-safe manner.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
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Asda
In order to prepare in advance, Asda has already opened its Christmas Delivery Slots a little earlier than usual this year, so you’ll need to act quick if you want to get yours booked in as unsurprisingly, some time slots on 20th – 24th December are already fully booked.
Those who are unable to secure a home delivery slot for the date they want can still order online to Click & Collect in store for their chosen dates.
Delivery costs £3 for orders less than £40, and £3 for Click & Collect orders under £25.
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For customers with a Asda Delivery Pass however, delivery is priced between £3 and £5.50 depending on the day and time of the slot.
You can find more information via the Asda website here.
Aldi
Aldi has confirmed its newly-launched home delivery service will include Christmas slots, however those hoping to stock up on festive essentials won’t be able to place a food order until nearer the big day itself.
Shoppers can place food orders from 19th December.
The last date for a standard Christmas delivery is 16th December, but Aldi does also offer a Next Day Delivery option available right up until 21st December.
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You can find more information via the Aldi website here.
Sainsbury’s
While the Sainsbury’s delivery service is closed between 24th – 26th December, the supermarket retailer has already released the cut-off dates for Christmas slots:
Book your slot from 29th November (for delivery on 20th December)
Book your slot from 30th November (for delivery on 21st December)
Book your slot from 1st December (for delivery on 22nd December)
Book your slot from 2nd December (for delivery on 23rd December)
There’s a minimum order value of £25.
Sainsbury’s charges £7 for delivery orders under £40, and between 50p and £7 for orders worth more, depending on the time slot you choose, and delivery is free for orders over £100 booked between Monday – Thursday after 2pm.
You can find more information via the Sainsbury’s website here.
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Tesco
In order to prepare for the festive season, Tesco has increased the number of its delivery slots from 600,000 to 1.5 million a week – which is more than double what was available at the start of lockdown – and those who are signed up to the chain’s Delivery Saver Scheme are now already able to book their Christmas delivery slot.
For regular customers, festive slots will be available at 7am on 20th November.
If home delivery isn’t an option for you, then Tesco also offers a Click & Collect service for those who want to avoid the store crowds.
You can find more information via the Tesco website here.
Morrisons
Morrisons has released information on its website for shoppers ahead of the Christmas period.
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Christmas orders at Morrisons must be placed before 5pm on 15th December for delivery on 22nd, 23rd and 24th December, and those who opt for Click & Collect can pick up their items in store between 22nd – 24th December, but orders need to be placed by 10pm on 15th December.
You can find more information via the Morrisons website here.
Iceland
Iceland has also opened Christmas Delivery Slots for any date up to 24th December.
The leading frozen foods supermarket chain is offering customers free delivery for all orders over £35, and it also offers an in-store Same Day delivery service – which is free when you spend £25 or more – available until Christmas eve.
You can find more information via the Iceland website here.
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Cruz Beckham and The Breakers live in Manchester – a torch passed from father to son?
Lonnie Bowes
Cruz Beckham graced the stage of The Deaf Institute in Manchester last night. Whether it’s your first time through the doors or you’ve been going for years, the venue carries an unmistakable energyand always will.
With a feel and set in its Victorian past, unmistakable Mancunian patina, the building leaves a mark on you – and on every grassroots artist who plays there.
The intimate upstairs room has long been a springboard for acts who go on to much bigger stages. History certainly likes to repeat itself, and perhaps this was a small sign of things to come for the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham.
With his dad watching from the wings – fittingly in a number seven shirt synonymous with his years at Man United – Cruz stepped onto the stage with quiet confidence. For the next hour, he set his sights firmly on the crowd, eager to show exactly who he is as an artist beyond the famous surname.
Backed by a tight band that seemed to fit together like a glove, the set leaned into guitar-driven indie with an easy chemistry between players.
There were moments where the group locked into a groove, so naturally, it felt less like a new project and more like a band that had been touring together for years.
Cruz and co’s audience reflected the curiosity surrounding the night; inside the packed room was an eclectic mix of indie fans, university students, couples of all ages and a fair share of Beckham devotees – all keen to see whether the hype surrounding the young performer translated on stage.
The 21-year-old ran through his most popular (albeit limited number of) tracks thus far, including ‘Lick the Toad’, ‘Optics’, and ‘For Your Love’, each of which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
His songs showed off a good deal of melodic indie sensibility, with jangling guitars and hooks that landed well in the intimate setting of the venue.
While Cruz held the stage, there were emotional moments playing out just above him. Throughout the set, David Beckham could be spotted proudly filming and what appeared to be FaceTiming other family members to share the moment in real time. We’re not sure Brooklyn’s picking up at the minute…
Toward the end of the night, visibly moved, the former footballer appeared to wipe away a tear — a quiet but powerful reminder that beyond the celebrity and headlines, this was still a father watching his son manifest his own destiny.
For Cruz Beckham, the night wasn’t about stadium lights or global headlines: it was about proving himself in a room that has hosted literally countless emerging artists before him. If the energy inside Deaf Institute was anything to go by, this may well be one of those early chapters people look back on later.
Did any of you head to the venue as a fan or purely out of curiosity – and if so, what did you make of Cruz Beckham’s first proper Manc gig?
Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
The Manc -
13th November 2020 
