From being paid a salary to play Animal Crossing, to becoming a professional wine taster and getting paid to watch Netflix in your pyjamas, there’s been some pretty exciting and unique job opportunities cropping up over the last few months of lockdown, but now that elements of normality have begun to resume, there’s a new career prospect that dogs and their owners are bound to love.
This one takes the dog biscuit.
Luxury dog-friendly cottage provider Canine Cottages is currently recruiting for 10 lucky dogs and their owners to become 2020’s Canine Critics and enjoy a free staycation to a destination of their choice in the UK.
The chosen pups – who must be from the UK – will become “paws on the ground” and be responsible for reviewing cottage holidays, posting on Canine Cottages’ social channels, sniffing out adventures along the way and just generally living the doggy dream.
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Each lucky pup will receive a £1,000 voucher for a cottage holiday, and they’ll also get some some delicious treats, goodies and other freebies to try out too.
Canine Cottages
The ‘job’ description for a Canine Critic as found on the Canine Cottages website reads: “The lucky winners get to give us the lowdown on how fantastic it is to stay in our dog-friendly cottages as they’ll win a free stay in a UK location of their choice.
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“They’ll also get the chance to review the property and the local area, helping dog lovers to discover the best places for their four-pawed pals to fetch, play and run.”
The competition has exploded in popularity from 7,000 hopeful applicants in its debut year to more than 50,000 in 2019.
Dogs all over the UK dreaming of being crowned a Canine Critic celebrity.
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Speaking on the 2020 search, Shannon Keary – Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages – said: “Our 2019 campaign was phenomenally successful and we were overwhelmed with the calibre and quantity of entries.
“The chosen 2019 Critics have been amazing and we’ve loved having them as ambassadors for our brand. Now we cannot wait to recruit ten, new top dogs for 2020. We’re on the hunt for a diverse selection of ‘real’ dogs who love to explore the UK and have their photo taken, as well as a willing human to sit, stay and lie down with.”
She also revealed that one of last year’s winners – Woody, from the Midlands – had a fantastic time being a Canine Critic.
His owner commented: “There were so many amazing things about being chosen as the Midlands’ Canine Critic but I think if we had to pick one, it would be the getting chosen part. Woody’s my hero and for one year, he was also the Midlands’ hero – that’s pretty special and I don’t think anything can beat that feeling.
“I just wanted to bottle it up.”
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How could you pass up on this perfect staycation opportunity?
It couldn’t be easier to stick an application in either, as all you’ll need to do is fill out a simple application form and provide a photo of you and your furry friend to be in with a chance of being picked.
The 2020 Canine Critic competition is now open and deadline for applications is 29th October 2020.
You can apply via the Canine Cottages website here.
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Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 50% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
30th September 2020 
