It’s hard to see someone else living out your dream, but a Wigan schoolboy has got himself a side gig as a professional sweet taste-tester.
Ethan Rowbotham is a massive fan of Wigan’s finest fresh breath treats, Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, and after the world-famous confectionery maker made an appeal for volunteers, the 10-year-old from Standish was appointed ‘Chief Taster’.
Bosses at Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls said they were “bowled over” by Ethan’s ideas and enthusiasm, and have invited him to start his new role at the town’s Toffee Works factory.
They weren’t kidding about his passion either, as Ethan not only insisted that Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls were his “absolute favourite” sweet in his application for the role, but he also suggested a bunch of potential new flavour ideas too.
Some of his suggestions include a ‘summer tropical’ edition – consisting of mango, pineapple, passionfruit, jack fruit and dragon fruit – several winter-themed flavours such as pomegranate, spiced pear and plum, some spring editions with cherry blossom and apple blossom, and an extra-special Christmas pudding-flavoured Mint Ball for the festive season.
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We can see why he got the job.
The confectionary company said they were “bowled over” by Ethan’s enthusiasm / Credit: Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls
“I entered the competition because I am excited to taste new flavours,” Ethan told ITV Granada.
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“Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls are my favourite because I like the sweet taste and when I crunch it, I like the explosion of mint [so] I’m so excited to go around the factory.”
His proud mum Lisa added: “Ethan was so excited when we told him he had been asked to be Chief Taster [as] he worked hard on his application, thinking of all the reasons why he would be perfect for the job.
“We are incredibly proud and happy for him.”
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125 years of making #Wigan town centre smell fantastic! 🍬👃😃 Happy birthday to the iconic @UncleJoesSweets…let the celebrations begin… more with @CroneyITV on @GranadaReports tonight from 6pm 📺
The chance to become a member of the Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls tasting panel was open to people of all ages, and follows the overwhelming response from fans to social media posts about new products and innovations.
Ethan will be joined by five other volunteers to help taste prototype sweets and put forward their own ideas, as well as give feedback on existing varieties.
Featured Image – Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls
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Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2023 
