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Here’s the full list of supermarkets and shops which are closing on Boxing Day 2021
A number of supermarkets have decided to reward their staff
As Christmas looms, a number of supermarkets and retailers have revealed that they will be closing their doors on Boxing Day.
After a gruelling year, these retailers will be closing for one extra day to give their staff a well-deserved day off to spend with friends and family over the festive period.
Here’s who will be closed and everything else you need to know…
M&S – Manchester / Facebook
Marks & Spencer
As per tradition for the supermarket, Marks & Spencer will be closing its doors on Boxing Day to thank staff for their hard work over the past year.
CEO Steve Rowe said in a statement: “Up and down the country, our colleagues have been there for our customers in the most challenging of circumstances.
“As a small thank you for their incredible hard work, we’ve taken the decision to close our operations on Boxing Day once again this year, to enable our colleagues to spend more time with their family and loved ones.”
Morrisons
Morrisons will be closing its supermarkets for two consecutive days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, despite remaining open last year.
A Morrisons spokesperson told the BBC: “Everyone at Morrisons has worked incredibly hard over the last eighteen months as we’ve responded to the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, serving our customers and local communities.
“So this year, we’re taking the exceptional step of closing all our supermarkets on Boxing Day, so as many colleagues as possible can enjoy a two day weekend break with family and friends.”
David Smith / Geograph
Aldi
The budget supermarket will be closing on Boxing Day, as it has done for the last three decades, to thank its staff for their hard work throughout the year.
Aldi’s recruitment director Kelly Stokes said the move was in recognition of workers’ dedication over the pandemic: “This is why we will once again be keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day, and it’s been really encouraging to see other retailers committing to do the same this year.”
Home Bargains
The discount retailer announced that it will be closing on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day as a thank you to its work-force.
A spokesperson told The Mirror: “We recognise how incredibly hard all of our colleagues have worked over the last year, to continue to serve the local communities that rely on them so much.
“In light of this, we felt it was only right to reward store teams by taking the decision to close all of our stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and also close stores early at 5pm on Christmas Eve.”
Geograph
Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat
Sainsbury’s recently announced that it will be closing all of its stores on Boxing Days, as well as all Argos and Habitat Home stores, which the supermarket chain now owns.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, said: “Christmas is a really special time for so many, but because of lockdown restrictions last year, lots of us weren’t able to celebrate in the way we wanted.
“In recognition of this and to say a massive thank you to all our colleagues for everything they have done during the last challenging year, we will be closing all of our supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol filling stations, as well as Argos and Habitat stores, this Boxing Day.”
Wilko
Those wanting to grab some homeware bargains after Christmas may have to wait an extra day as Wilko has announced it will be closed on Boxing Day.
A spokesperson said on the decision: “As a family-owned retailer, Wilko understands the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and after such a difficult year.
“Wilko has decided to give all its team members a day off on December 26th to spend with their families this Christmas.”
Kake / Flickr
Waitrose and John Lewis
All Waitrose supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, other than some in Welcome Break motorways service stations and Shell forecourts.
Most Waitrose stores will shut at 6pm on Christmas Eve, with extended opening hours in the days running up to December 24th.
John Lewis stores will also be shut “as usual” on Boxing Day, except for one in Trafford, the retailer says.
Holland and Barrett
Get stocked up on your herbal remedies, because Holland and Barrett will be giving its 500 store and warehouse staff a day off on Boxing Day.
Anthony Houghton, group retail and property director at Holland and Barrett, said: “The decision to close our stores in the UK and Ireland on December 25th and 26th, one of the busiest trading periods of the year, is to say thank you to our colleagues who have worked tirelessly and under very difficult restrictions since the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020.
“I would like to thank everyone at Holland and Barrett for their continued hard work and commitment to each other and our customers and hope this time away from work will allow them to spend quality time with loved ones over this period.”
Ian Rainey / Geograph
Pets at Home
For the second year in a row, Pets at Home will be closing all of its UK stores on Boxing Day.
Pets at Home chief executive officer Peter Pritchard said: “Our people are the beating heart of our business and they have worked tirelessly once again this year to ensure that the nation’s pets and their owners have access to everything they need to stay happy and healthy.
“Caring for our colleagues is something we take very seriously and closing our stores again on Boxing Day is another small way to show our appreciation and say thank you. It’s a little early to be wishing anyone a merry Christmas, but we hope that our colleagues will be able to use this time to relax with family and friends, and of course, their pets.”
Iceland
Back in September, Iceland’s boss revealed that the budget supermarket will be closing on Boxing Day as well as Christmas Day.
When asked by Fiona Bruce on Question Time if he would like to see the member of the public get Boxing Day off, Iceland boss Richard Walker answered simply ‘yes’, before confirming that Iceland will keep its stores shut on December 26th, 2021.
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Once-in-a-lifetime ‘Mother of Dragons’ green comet set to be visible in UK skies tonight
Don’t forget to look up tonight!
A huge green comet dubbed the ‘Mother of Dragons’ is set to be visible in UK skies tonight, and here’s how you can see it.
A green giant – not the sweetcorn kind – is currently visible in the sky over the northern hemisphere, and this spectacular glowing rock can be seen shooting past us this evening (April 4th).
There’s a lot of cosmic goings on in the skies at the moment as North America prepares to witness a solar eclipse next week, plunging it into darkness for a moment.
Unfortunately, us Brits won’t be able to witness that one but the Mother of Dragons comet will certainly be an extraordinary spectacle to witness, and will look a bit like the Green Goblin is zooming past us high up in the sky.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has a nucleus approximately 10.5 miles (17 kilometres) wide – about the size of a city – and is thought to be bright enough to see with the naked eye, although astronomers advise using binoculars to get the best views.
The comet will be visible for the first time since 1954 and only passes by every 71 years.
It has been given its nickname because ESA researchers believe it is the parent body of the kappa-Draconids meteor shower, and of course it’s a cool pop-culture reference to Game of Thrones.
The comet also used to appear to have a pair of horns but they have gone now.
It is comprised of ice, dust and rock and looks green due to the presence of diatomic carbon molecules, which emit emerald-coloured light when illuminated by the sun.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is referred to as explosive due to its volatile activity as it is known for its spectacular outbursts of gas and dust.
The comet will reach its closest point to Earth in June 2024. However, by this time, it won’t be possible to observe the comet from the northern hemisphere. Late March and early April will offer the best opportunities.
If you’re an avid stargazer, astronomer in the making or would just like a chance to see this magnificent ancient rock light up the night sky, you will need to head out to higher ground away from light pollution where possible. Clear skies are best and binoculars may help you get the best views of this cosmic marvel.
Gregory Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the MailOnline: “The comet can now be found in the constellation of Aries which is visible in the early evening, over in the west.
“It will only become visible after twilight and sets by around 10pm BST.
“While it may be possible to see with the unaided eye, it is best to try and observe with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope.”
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks won’t be returning to our night skies until 2095, so make sure not to miss out on this one!
The rain may seem relentless but brighter days are coming for Manchester as the city is set to get hotter than Los Angeles later this week.
This rainy metropolis will enjoy a little break from the April showers as a mini heatwave is coming to kick start beer garden season.
So, dig out your shorts and leave your jacket at home as temperatures begin to soar from Friday afternoon, reaching 18C on Saturday – which will be hotter than LA in the Golden State of California.
As Friday afternoon (April 5th) approaches, the sun will make an appearance between any breaks in the clouds and temperatures will peak at 16C, according to BBC Weather.
And with sunset not until 7.52pm, there will be just enough time to visit a pub garden and enjoy a couple of mojitos to get you in the mood for the weekend.
On Saturday April 6th, Manchester will start off cloudy but into the late morning temperatures will begin to rise and Mancunians will get to enjoy sunny intervals with temperatures reaching highs of 18C, as meteorologists predict ‘above average’ conditions for this time of year.
However, the rollerbladers on Venice Beach will only experience temperatures of 15C. But while Los Angeles might be a little cooler than Manchester, it will still remain sunny while Mancs will have to put up with the odd shower here and there.
The Met Office’s outlook for Friday and Saturday reads: “Low pressure remaining dominant through this period, with further heavy showers and longer spells of rain.
“Turning increasingly windy too, though temperatures above average for the time of year.”
Now, we know it won’t be perfect weather but it will make a nice change from the constant freezing temperatures we’ve been having. A nice spell of warmth and sunshine on the weekend isn’t too shabby afterall.
No doubt we’ll all be flocking to our nearest beaches, nature spots and having a BBQ this weekend!
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Greater Manchester dominates top ten UK Vaping Capitals, according to research
Four Greater Manchester areas made the top 10 list of vaping hotspots
Greater Manchester dominates the list of Vaping Capitals of the UK, according to new research.
Wherever you go, you don’t have to walk far before you enter a sweet-smelling hazy cloud of vapour and feel as if you’re a contestant on Stars In Their Eyes.
Young people are vaping on the tram, your mate can barely construct a sentence without inhaling some of the battery-powered, synthetic cherry flavoured smoke, and every other stranger on the street is blowing out a cloud big enough to conceal an aircraft.
Replacing the old habit of cigarette smoking, it now seems as if vaping is taking over just about everywhere.
Online vape store Go Smoke Free, used GOV.UK’s Companies House advanced search feature to find businesses registered for the retail sale of tobacco products in specialised stores in the UK.
It then compared the number of these active businesses to each town or city’s population size to construct a list of the top 10 UK Vaping Capitals.
Unfortunately, Greater Manchester dominates the list of the UK’s Vaping Capitals with four areas named.
According to the research, Blackburn is ranked as the UK’s vaping capital, with 27 registered vape retailers serving its population of 119,707 residents. When accounting for population size, this equates to 22.56 vape shops per 100,000 residents – the largest figure for any UK town or city.
Second on the list is Bolton in Greater Manchester, with 20.26 vape shops registered per 100,000 residents in the town. Bolton has 41 registered vape shops in total serving its 202,369 residents.
Manchester ranks third, with 110 vape shops in total. However, the city’s larger population ensures this works out to 19.84 registered vape retailers per 100,000 residents.
Further down the list, Middlesbrough ranks fourth. Located in North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough has 12.43 vape shops per 100,000 residents. The town has 22 registered vape shops serving its 176,991 residents.
Rounding out the top five is Salford in Greater Manchester, which has a total of 14 registered vape shops, equivalent to 12.03 shops per 100,000 residents.
And Stockport ranks sixth, with 10.91 vape retailers per 100,000 residents.
A spokesperson for Go Smoke Free said: “Disposable vapes have gained popularity in recent years, due to their convenience, portability and low cost, which has made them an attractive option for those who would otherwise have been unlikely to invest in a more complex vaping setup.”
They continued: “The new disposable vape ban should help to discourage children from taking up vaping, while encouraging adults to shift to more sustainable alternatives, such as refillable vapes.
“This study highlights which areas of the UK are most likely to be affected by the upcoming ban on selling disposable vapes. The Greater Manchester area boasts its fair share of stores catering to vapers’ needs, with Blackburn, Bolton and the city of Manchester claiming the top three spots.
“These cities could see a significant shift in their vaping culture, with the ban impacting consumer behaviour, and existing vape retailers adapting their offerings to cater to the new legislation.”
The list of vaping capital of the UK, according to Go Smoke Free, is as follows:
- Blackburn
- Bolton
- Manchester
- Middlesborough
- Salford
- Stockport
- Doncaster
- Newport
- Peterborough
- Nottingham
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