Now that it’s been confirmed Greater Manchester will enter Tier 3 restrictions once lockdown ends on 2nd December, we’d be willing to bet one of your plans is watching a festive flick or two.
Most of us rush to pop on Christmas film as soon as we start to feel festive anyway and try to cram as many of the classics into December as is possible, right? And during a year like 2020, when we’ve become more accustomed to the ‘stay home’ culture than ever before thanks to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it stands to reason that Christmas films will be our best friends next month.
So, how you would like to get paid to do something you were already planning on doing anyway then?
We know it sounds a bit too good to be true, but online review website reviews.org is currently recruiting a ‘Chief Holiday Cheermeister’ to join its team, and all successful applicants will have to do is watch 25 Christmas movies in a month and fill out a questionnaire on each providing feedback.
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You’ll then be asked to rank each film you have watched in order, picking the ones you think are the best, and you’ll then be paid a total of £1,800 for your time.
That’s an impressive £72 a movie.
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If that wasn’t enough, the chosen movie lover will also get a subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+ for free, so they can binge every movie on the list, and even after they’ve finished up the job, the subscriptions will still be valid for a full year.
Studio Canal
Films the lucky applicant will be expected to watch over the next month include Elf, Home Alone, Polar Express and It’s A Wonderful Life.
The job description for the ‘Chief Holiday Cheermeister’ reads: “Does the sound of jingle bells warm your heart? Have you always wanted a ticket to the Polar Express? Did you start celebrating Christmas on November 1 (or, let’s be real, probably before that)?
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“If you’re the type of person who watches holiday movies year-round, we want to hire you,
“As our Chief Holiday Cheermeister (put this prestigious title on your resume), you’re going to get £1,800 of cold hard cash (well… probably a direct deposit). And that’s not all, we’ll [also] give you gift cards to cover a one-year subscription to the streaming services.
“And you get unlimited hot cocoa breaks and a fast-tracked application to the “nice” list.”
If reading this sounds like you might have found your calling this Christmas, you can apply for the Chief Holiday Cheermeister role via the reviews.org website here.
Trending
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
27th November 2020 
