It’s officially pumpkin spice latte season… there’s no denying it now.
Okay, although over the last few weeks the UK has been dealing with both the unseasonably-warm temperatures of a so-called ‘Indian summer’, followed by the chaos of Storm Babet and everything she brought with her – but now, it’s finally starting to feel like autumn.
When the nights start to draw in, the air gets colder, and we all begin to wrap up warmer, then it gets a lot harder to resist the urge to grab a sweet pumpkin spice latte.
Starbucks may be the place that most people associate with the popular autumn drink, but a whole host of other coffee shops and independent cafes also brew up their take on it each year – with some notable chains being Greggs, Pret, and more.
And now, one company is looking for someone to test them out.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can actually get paid to drink different pumpkin spice lattes this autumn / Credit: Fahmi Fakhrudin (via Unsplash)
So, if you were already planning on spending the colder months sipping away on a pumpkin spice latte, then how about getting paid for drinking them while you’re at it?
Drinking autumnal drinks is just one of the responsibilities that lingerie brand Pour Moi‘s new ‘Cosy Coordinator’ will be tasked with.
ADVERTISEMENT
In what is said to be the perfect job for “fall fanatics that love everything about the colder season”, Pour Moi says it’s on the lookout for “an autumn girlie” who knows their pumpkin spices from their hot chocolates, gets giddy when they hear the Gilmore Girls theme tune, and loves nothing more than lighting a cinnamon-scented candle and snuggling up on the sofa as the night’s draw in.
The key focus of the brand-new role is to test out Pour Moi’s comfy bras and pants to ensure they’re fit for all the cosy tasks this autumn.
Pour Moi is hiring an official ‘Cosy Coordinator’ who is obsessed with all things autumn / Credit: Starbucks UK | Greggs
The job tasks include drinking some of the season’s most popular autumn-inspired hot drinks, watching your favourite fall-feeling box set or film, and curling up on the sofa with a good book, all while wearing Pour Moi’s comfortable range of non-wired bras and soft pants.
ADVERTISEMENT
After enjoying a perfect snuggly weekend, all the successful applicant will then have to do is review the underwear, and state how well it fared when taking on the cosy tasks.
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
The full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’ you’ll soon be able to get for cheaper in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Crisps, biscuits, avocado, and chewing gum are just a few of the items that are soon set to be available for cheaper in the UK.
First announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week, the Government has now published a list of more than 100 of key items that are set to see targeted cuts to tariffs, alongside uprating mileage rates for the first time in 15 years and reducing VAT.
It covers a wide range of ‘everyday essentials’ – from fresh fruit and vegetables, oil and baked goods, to chocolate, sauces, and soft drinks.
“The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to,” Chancellor Reeves commented.
“My priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses. That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”
Full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’
Garlic
Gherkins
Aubergines
Sweet peppers
Other peppers (capsicum/pimenta)
Olives (fresh/chilled)
Olives (for oil production)
Olives (frozen)
Plantains (fresh and dried)
Bananas (fresh and dried)
Limes
Citrus fruits (various)
Avocados
Fresh figs
Dried figs
Other fresh fruits
Frozen fruits
Dried apricots
Dried apples
Dried peaches/nectarines
Dried pears
Dried papaya
Mixed dried fruit
Mixed nuts
Mixed fruit and nuts
Green tea
Buckwheat
Fonio
Quinoa
Olive oil (extra virgin)
Olive oil (virgin)
Olive oil (other)
Margarine
Mixed fats and oils
Vegetable oils
Chewing gum
Liquorice products
White chocolate
Marzipan and pastes
Throat pastilles
Sugar confectionery
Boiled sweets
Toffees and caramels
Sugar tablets
Cocoa paste
Cocoa powder
Chocolate (bulk and retail)
Chocolate bars
Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
Chocolate spreads
Chocolate drink preparations
Couscous
Crispbread
Gingerbread
Biscuits
Waffles and wafers
Rusks
Toasted bread products
Bread
Pizzas and quiches
Pickled peppers
Prepared vegetables
Crisps
Processed potatoes
Baked beans
Preserved beans
Preserved vegetables
Preserved tropical fruit
Candied fruit
Jams and marmalades
Preserved citrus fruits
Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
Tomato ketchup
Tomato sauces
Soups and broths
Non-alcoholic beverages
Plant-based drinks
Crisps and fresh fruit are two of the items set to see targeted tariff cuts / Credit: Esperanza Doronila | Jonas Kakaroto (via Unsplash)
The Government says these cuts support the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
The list of everyday essentials set to see targeted cuts to tariffs comes after the Great British Summer Savings initiative was announced last week.
This means that, from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd October 2023 
