Sitting in our campervan in the hospital car park, my fiancé Jason and I had tried everything to distract ourselves.
After a walk and a coffee, we’d resorted to watching Spiderman films, but it wasn’t working. I was still anxious.
Inside Leeds General Infirmary, our 2-year-old son, Heaton, was undergoing open-heart surgery to fix an Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), a congenital heart defect characterised by a large hole or holes in the wall between the chambers of the heart. The waiting was torture.
Before Heaton, the only family history came from my maternal grandad, who had blocked arteries and underwent heart bypass surgery in his late 60s.
I thought heart issues were generally experienced by older people so when I fell pregnant in 2021, it wasn’t on our radar. In fact, all my scans came back clear, my morning sickness eased after 20 weeks and though I was in labour over several days, in October I had a ‘normal birth’.
At first, Heaton seemed healthy, hitting all his early developmental milestones.
On a couple of occasions, he was poorly with a rattling cough and as a worried first-time mum, I took him to the GP. The doctor thought it was a virus and gave him an inhaler.
Then, in the autumn of 2022 when he was around nine months, I spoke to his childminder – a former ICU nurse – about how I’d noticed a blue tinge to Heaton’s lips, hands and feet after the bath.
She immediately advised us to get him checked out.
Our GP tried to listen to his heart, which I thought was odd as I didn’t think that was the issue, but Heaton grew so distressed she referred us to Grimsby outpatient’s department for further investigation.
I’m very anxious around hospitals and suffer with panic attacks, but when I took Heaton in in March 2023, I thought nothing of it – that’s how confident I was that his heart wasn’t the problem.
Nurses took him for an ultrasound and soon after, the consultant asked a nurse to play with Heaton so he could ‘speak to Mum’. I realised something must be wrong.
I was then told that Heaton had AVSD. He had two holes in his heart and would need open heart surgery to fix it.
I was so distraught, I couldn’t take it in. The consultant asked me to come back the next day with Jason.
‘Why weren’t the holes picked up with the pregnancy scans?’ we asked. The explanation was that sometimes these things can simply be missed.
We were then told Heaton would be put under the care of the specialist cardiac team at Leeds General Infirmary and we would see them every few months for an ECG, echo scan and blood tests.
Other than watching for any signs of breathlessness, Heaton could carry on ‘as normal’.
Of course, ‘normal’ suddenly felt very different.
I run my own cleaning business but work had to take a backseat; I spent much of my time feeling sick with worry and it was too difficult to focus. Being self-employed created extra difficulties for our income.
While Jason worked for the police, he also struggled to make it through the days. The waiting was undoubtedly the worst.
As Heaton’s case wasn’t urgent, we spent 18 months waiting to find out when his surgery would happen, calling up most months to check.
Eventually, in August 2024, we finally received the call to say they had space to operate on him on 11 September.
At 3pm that day, we took Heaton to theatre and Jason held him whilst he was put to sleep. Once again, all we could do was wait.
The operation was supposed to take five or six hours but it ended up taking nearly eight. Time seemed to stretch on forever. Thankfully, surgeons successfully closed both holes in his heart and repaired two leaking heart valves, which is why it took a bit longer. Heaton was out of surgery and OK. Better still, we could see him.
As much as I wanted to rush to his side, I’d got so worked up with my anxiety that at first, I was too scared to visit the chaotic ICU.
Jason, however, went up straight away and sent me photos. Heaton looked so vulnerable, and it was heart-breaking to see the complicated tubes protruding from his chest.
Eventually I plucked up the courage to go up but my crippling anxiety of hospitals had crept back. It was painful not being able to spend hours by his bedside. I took comfort knowing he had great care with the nursing team.
After two days, Heaton was moved to High Dependency. Though he was quite grumpy about being poked and prodded, his cheeky charm meant everyone there loved him and he ate them out of ice lollies.
After just five days he was allowed home to continue recovering. Like any typical toddler though, he just wanted to run around and play – and not much has changed since.
Today, Heaton is a hilarious four-year-old who loves Spiderman, arts and crafts and racing toy cars around the house. He is thriving at nursery and can usually be found doing funny dances or pulling silly faces. He will proudly show off his ‘superhero scar’ to anyone who asks (and some who don’t).
He still has annual check-ups and I think he’ll continue to be monitored by the cardiology team for life – a small price to pay for the happiness he brings us every day.
I couldn’t be prouder of the person he’s becoming and seeing him win a BHF Young Heart Hero award in September topped it all off.
He’s been through so much in his short life already, and I’ll never take him being here for granted.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk.
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22 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
‘My boyfriend blocked my surgery and headbutted me when I asked for help’
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. A disabled woman has told how her ex-boyfriend abused her at home, by denying her medication, blocking her surgery and headbutting her – before her attempt to escape was thwarted by the lack of suitable accommodation
22 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
The best dessert-inspired drinks from Aldi, M&S and Sainsbury’s — and one is ‘bang on’
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
It’s officially Baileys season, not that you ever really need an excuse to sip the stuff.
At this time of year, many of us will reach for the Irish Cream, as it promises immeasurable amounts of silky indulgence and festive cheer. (Plus enough sugar to put a number of dentists’ children through university and pay off their student loads at the end of it.)
But it’s not our only option when it comes to dessert-inspired drinks.
Cream liqueurs have proliferated of late and now it’s not just Baileys Original you’ll find on the supermarket shelf – there are more flavours, colours and textures than you can shake an insulin pen at.
We’re talking everything from pumpkin spice, to limoncello, Terry’s chocolate orange, Dubai chocolate and Tiramisu.
What is a cream liqueur?
They’re made by combining dairy cream with a base spirit, such as whisky or vodka (and in one case, tequila), and blending them with sugar and flavourings.
A process called ‘homogenisation’ is used to emulsify the cream, using high pressure to break down the fat into tiny, uniform particles. They then use ingredients like sodium caseinate to stabilise the liquid so the cream and the alcohol don’t separate.
Do supermarket dessert-inspired drinks taste as good as they sound?
In the run-up to December, I took it upon myself to taste test over 20 different liqueurs, so you don’t have to and my teeth haven’t stopped aching since. You’re welcome.
I’ve narrowed the selection down to just feature the best of the bunch, hopefully this makes it easier for you to find the most decadent dessert drinks for Christmas.
And there’s also one you’ll probably want to avoid, which scored a 0/10 in my rankings and was without a doubt, the worst one I tried.
Let’s tuck in…
Note: I tasted all of them at room temperature, but ideally, you’ll serve them over ice, in a hot chocolate, in coffee or over your dessert.
Baileys Terry’s Chocolate Orange, £16.50, Ocado
My thoughts: Courtney, Metro’s specialist food writer, reveiwed this one recently, but I have to give it another shout-out. Baileys just do it so well, and this one is literally liquid Terry’s chocolate orange with lightly nutty, biscuity undertones. From sweetness levels to flavour integration, it’s all bang on. Nailed it.
Score: 8.7/10
Taste The Difference Irish Cream Liqueur, £13.25, Sainsbury’s
My thoughts: Sainsbury’s version of the classic is lovely and punchy on the palate. I’m a sucker for a spirity kick when it comes to cream liqueurs, otherwise they can taste too cloying and sugary, like melted ice cream in a heatwave. This bottle gives you a thwack like you’ve just walked around the back of a startled horse. At the same time, it’s luxuriant in texture, warming and velvety.
Score: 8.6/10
No.1 Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur, £14, Waitrose
My thoughts: I had to taste this multiple times, for research purposes, obvs. Each time, I upped its score a notch. If you’re a fan of rich and unctuous flavours of creamy fudge and milk chocolate brownie, you’re in for a absolute treat. You can imagine Nigella pouring herself a glass during one of her midnight fridge raids. Because, importantly, it has a luxuriant texture, a sensible amount of sweetness and no cloying gloopiness.
Score: 8.5/10
Chocolate Brownie Flavour Country Cream, £7.29, Lidl
My thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by this bottle. I feared it could be a sweet, sickly and soupy, but it was nothing of the sort. It’s balanced, uncomplicated and tastes exactly of what it’s meant to; chocolate brownie. But one of those good quality brownies, made of slightly darker chocolate that costs a bit more. Fridge chill and pour over ice.
Score: 8.3/10
Ballycastle Pumpkin Spiced Flavour Country Cream, £6.99, Aldi
My thoughts: Ginger nut biscuit in liquid form, is exactly what I wrote in my tasting notes. A great balance of sweetness, warming with a light suggestion of spirit. If the spirit levels were increased, I would have given this a higher mark. There’s nothing like a spicy, ginger kick of booze to get you ready for winter.
Score: 8.2/10
Taste The Difference Pistachio and Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur, £12, Sainsbury’s
My thoughts: Yes, Dubai chocolate is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s doing it well. In fact, there were some in the line-up that really weren’t delivering. Sainsbury’s, on the other hand, have nailed it with this bottle. You instantly pick up the pine-like piquancy of pistachio, balanced beautifully against the creamy milk chocolate. It’s very good.
Score: 8.2/10
Chocolate & Cherry Flavour Irish Cream Liqueur, £13.50, M&S
My thoughts: This one was a grower. I was very undecided when I first poured it out. For starters, it’s brownie-purple in colour, and no question, the flavour combination jars on first sip. But, the flavours come together very well after a while, the dark chocolate base notes melding with the brightness of the cherry. Good texture and balance, too.
Score: 8/10
Deadman’s Fingers Blue Raspberry Tequila, £13.15, Ocado
My thoughts: I’m still processing this, figuratively and physically. What is it? Why is it called Deadman’s Fingers? What colour even is it? Did it break me, or give me life? So many questions. What I will say is, in a strange and unexpected way, it works. Were it not for the addition of tequila, this would straight up be something you’d give your kids on Halloween (please don’t though). With a Starburst-like flavour of blue raspberry, a creamy texture and a unicorn blue colour, what’s not to love? I think…
Score: 7/10, by far the most unusual drink I tried
And one dessert drink to avoid…
Hotel Chocolat Velvetised Chocolate Cream, £23, Ocado
My thoughts: I’m hoping this was a duff bottle, as it tasted like burnt, spoilt milk with nothing to redeem it. If Hotel Chocolat want to send me another for a retaste, I’m all ears. I mean, mouth.
Score: 0/10
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22 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
This £15 pet cam lets you check on your furry bestie – and it’s now on sale for Black Friday
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Owning a pet is pure joy, cuddles, company and a built-in best friend. But the second you leave them home alone, the guilt hits like a ton of bricks.
Suddenly, you’re imagining them pacing, whining, or plotting their dramatic escape. And let’s be honest, leaving the radio on or tossing out a few chew toys just isn’t gonna cut it.
Luckily, it’s 2025, and pet tech has become seriously impressive. Enter: Furbo.
Furbo’s range of pet cameras goes beyond mere monitoring, allowing you to speak to your pet in real time, toss them treats on command, and get instant alerts when they bark or meow.
But the standout is the new subscription AI-powered Furbo Nanny, which delivers daily behaviour summaries, health insights, and even early warnings if something seems off. It’s like having a digital nanny who never clocks out.
Furbo 360° Dog Camera
See more than ever before with the all-new rotating Furbo 360° Dog Camera. This clever pet cam enables you to hear and speak to your dog, toss treats on the go and be notified when they're making noise with real-time Barking Alerts.
Better yet, there’s a Furbo for every budget, and with Black Friday savings in full swing, you can score even bigger discounts of up to 50% off.
The Furbo Mini 360° is now just £24, while the Furbo Mini is as little as £15. Subscriptions for the new nanny service are also a steal, now coming in at just £5.59 a month.
At around 18p a day, that’s a tiny price to pay for major peace of mind.
The range of pet cameras, which also include a dedicated one for dogs and cats, has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, too, so you know you’re getting something that works.
‘I slept better not having to get up to check in on her, I could just check my phone,’ One reviewer wrote of their tiny kitten, while another added: ‘Everyone should have a Furbo if you have a dog/cat amazing product and well worth the price, the ai assistance is so helpful, I would definitely recommend.’
‘Really like this camera and it’s good to have a nanny watching over my much loved cat Flint”, Donna said in her feedback.’ raved a third reviewer.
Meanwhile, another wrote that the Furbo range proves invaluable if you have older pets, explaining that it was a blessing after her cat suffered a sudden health decline.
‘Not only did it help me show the vet that there was no signs of a health decline but gave me video memories of her. So I highly recommend if you have older animals to have cute funny keepsakes.’
Gosh, is someone cutting onions?
Furbo pet cameras – Black Friday
Furbo Mini
Small in size but offering big peace of mind, the Furbo Mini is designed to help keep your dog safe and your cat out of trouble. Receive instant pet-related alerts, auto pet tracking and video playback with Furbo Nanny.
NEW! Furbo Mini 360°
Score the smartest AI pet camera, now smaller and complete with 2K QHD 360° view and Lite Treat Toss, made to fit in any space.
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21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Medik8 launches biggest sale of the year with 25% off best-selling skincare
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Been on the hunt for derm-approved skincare without splashing the cash? We’ve found just the place.
Known for its science-backed formulas trusted by dermatologists, beauty editors and celebrities alike, Medik8 is the skincare brand shoppers can’t get enough of this Black Friday.
Combining the highest-quality ingredients with cutting edge technology, Medik8 products are widely loved for very good reason – bringing shoppers quality to write home about and real results.
The brand’s skincare best-sellers target a range of skincare concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation, acne, dryness and sensitivity – so there’s sure to be something that’ll blow you away.
If you’re new to the brand or looking for some kudos-worthy Christmas gifts for loved ones (or yourself), there’s no better time to shop than now.
From 23rd November, shoppers can score 25% off the brand’s advanced serums, nourishing moisturisers and powerful sunscreens. This is not a drill.
Making the deal even sweeter is free delivery when you spend £25 or more, so you can stock up on your favourites without worrying about extra costs.
This is the perfect chance to experience professional-quality skincare at a fraction of the cost, so make the most of it and get shopping.
Explore our top picks from the Medik8 Black Friday sale below.
Medik8 Black Friday sale – top picks
C-Tetra Luxe 30ml
Meet vitamin C like never before with the C-Tetra Luxe Serum. It stars 14% vitamin C, which is double the amount in the brand’s original C-Tetra Serum, to significantly brighten and boost your skin’s radiance. It’s also clinically proven to lessen the look of hyperpigmentation and wrinkles in four weeks of consistent use.
Crystal Retinal 6 30ml
Medik8’s Crystal Retinal is famous for delivering jaw-dropping results, and it's all thanks to its namesake retinal (proven to work 11 times faster than retinol), which targets hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and loss of elasticity with aplomb. There’s also six different strengths to be tailored to your skin type, with number 3 recommended for beginners.
Advanced Night Restore 50ml
If you can only dream of waking up with plump, smooth and radiant skin, this night cream is for you. It’s packed with impressive ingredients, from hydrating saskatoon berry and a nourishing multi-ceramide complex, to a blend of skin cell-repairing peptides – all included to make you look like you’ve had a full night’s rest.
Press & Glow 200ml
Perhaps one of the most iconic Medik8 products, Press & Glow is beloved around the globe and frequently seen on the skincare shelves of beauty insiders. It’s clinically proven to increase your skin’s radiance in four weeks by sweeping away dead skin cells to exfoliate and smooth, as well as boost your skin’s clarity and luminosity.
Hydr8 B5™ Intense 30ml
We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve seen this recommended as the best hyaluronic acid serum on the market. It features advanced multi-weight hyaluronic acid, panthenol and Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) to significantly hydrate the skin from within, leading to a plump, soft and smooth complexion.
Liquid Peptides Advanced MP 30ml
Designed to rapidly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this innovative serum combines a blend of 13 potent peptides to smooth and rejuvenate skin. 100% of testers experienced a visible reduction in wrinkles within 10 minutes, whilst deeper lines had a visible improvement within eight weeks.
We need just about everything…
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21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Run, don’t walk! ‘Incredible’ Garmin smart watch reduced by £370 in Black Friday sale
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Here at Metro HQ, we pride ourselves on finding you the absolute best bargains all year long, especially when Black Friday hits.
We’ve lived (and worked) through several Cyber Week sales, but we have to admit we have never seen a deal as good as H. Samuel’s price cut on the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 smart watch.
This incredible fitness smart watch has been slashed by half price in the longstanding jewellery brand’s sale, as the price drops from £769.99 down to £369.99.
We can’t believe it either!
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Men's 47mm Black Strap Smartwatch
Fitted with a 47mm AMOLEd display that tracks your fitness goals, step count, heart rate, as well as the time. This watch can be synced to your Spotify playlist, receive messages and calls, which makes it a multi-purpose smart device that caters to every shopper’s needs. IT also boasts 16 days of battery life.
An excellent pick for the fitness-obsessed in your life, this watch features advanced training and wellness technology so you can stay on top of your fitness goals, monitor your heart rate, sleep, calories burned and other activities.
In truth, even at full price this watch is worth every penny – hence why this half price deal is so impressive.
Boasting a built-in LED light and a 47mm AMOLED display, you have clear visibility of all your data on crisp, clear screen, which we consider an essential – especially in the winter months when those afternoon runs and gym trips take place in the pitch dark.
There’s nothing more frustrating than going for a workout only to find your watch has died, but Garmin’s Epix Pro watch boasts a super long 16-day battery life, ensuring you never have to worry about running out of juice on the go.
The watch can also track your route, which is particularly useful if you’re marathon training and want to keep a log of your mileage.
Not a runner? This clever feature is also handy if you’re heading on a long winter walk and are known to lose your sense of direction after a pit-stop at a cosy coffee shop.
Alongside telling the time and tracking your fitness, this watch can also be synced to your Spotify playlist to keep you motivated. You’ll also be able to receive all your notifications like calls and messages, as well as respond to them, too.
The black silicone strap fits the wrist comfortably and doesn’t irritate the skin, but it is also durable and waterproof for sweaty workouts and showers.
It’s unknown how long this sale will last, or stock for that matter, but if you know a fitness fanatic then this will be the perfect Christmas gift to treat them to this year.
Even if you consider yourself more of a couch potato (no shame), this watch may be just the ticket you need to inspire you to get those steps in, too.
Plus, no discount is needed, which makes for even more fuss-free shopping. You’re so welcome.
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21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Ladies, your new gym essential is here – and it’s 50% off for Black Friday
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Ladies, ever feel like you’re not reaching your potential at the gym? Like protein isn’t made for you? Well good news: Selfish Supps is – and it’s currently on sale for Black Friday.
Selfish Supps, the women’s sports nutrition brand that recently launched in the UK, has just dropped its biggest ever Black Friday offer at Boots, giving shoppers a whopping 50% off the entire protein range.
And that unmissable deal includes the Give Me Protein Water – a firm favourite amongst the gym girlies, who call it ‘SO refreshing’.
Originally £29 but now yours for just £14.50, this tasty Protein Water in the Tropical Crush flavour is set to become your new staple for whenever you need a protein hit – whether you’ve just hit the gym or simply need filling up.
Selfish Supps Give Me Protein Water 300g Tropical Crush Flavour
This light and refreshing vegan protein water has been formulated with a hydrolysed pea and brown rice blend for a hydrating hit of plant protein – ideal for strength, tone and recovery.
Lighter and more refreshing than traditional protein shakes, Selfish Supps’ Protein Water is a light, fast-absorbing formula designed to deliver a burst of hydration alongside 10g of hydrolysed plant protein per serving.
Dairy, gluten and soy-free, this vegan formula features a hydrolysed pea and brown rice blend, forming a complete amino acid profile that helps support your daily protein intake, tone and build lean muscle mass, repair tissue, and support fitness and whole-body balance.
Built with women’s unique fitness and wellness needs in mind, Selfish Supps is fast becoming the go-to brand for those who want effective sports nutrition without compromising on taste or convenience.
Because despite women making up almost 40% of the UK sports nutrition market, most supplements are still designed for male bodies and male performance needs. Shocking, but sadly not surprising.
So, the girls at Selfish Supps flipped the script with a women-first brand that actually considers women’s physiology, hormones and goals.
Their Black Friday sale at Boots gives shoppers the opportunity to shop the entire protein range for just £14.50 each instead of £29 – an incredible 50% saving on formulas that really work – like the Protein Water.
‘Was pleasantly surprised that this is actually delicious and sooo easy to drink,’ raved one impressed shopper. ‘not heavy or powdery, very pleased.’
Another added: ‘This protein water is making it so much easier to stick to my new routine. The flavour is so nice, just like a refreshing cordial without being too sweet. You wouldn’t even know it’s vegan protein.’
Ready to shop the full range on sale? Explore our top Selfish Supps Black Friday sale picks below.
Selfish Supps Black Friday sale 2025
Selfish Supps Give Me Plant Protein 450g Vanilla Flavour
This smooth and creamy vegan protein powder offers 20g of lean plant protein per serving, helping to fuel your day while being gentle on the stomach. This protein is in classic vanilla flavour.
Selfish Supps Give Me Plant Protein 450g c Flavour
This smooth and creamy vegan protein powder offers 20g of lean plant protein per serving, helping to fuel your day while being gentle on the stomach. This protein is in Rich Chocolate flavour.
Selfish Supps Give Me Protein Water 300g Very Berry Flavour
If you're not a fan of protein shakes, this fast-absorbing pea and brown rice protein water is light, refreshing, and seriously effective. Drink post-workout or anytime you need a protein hit. Shoppers say it's so tasty, it makes the perfect sweet treat indulgence.
All the supps you need – for less.
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21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
I visited the North’s biggest M&S with two cafés and mall-style consessions
I’ll confess that M&S is not usually my go-to for the big shop. Instead, I reserve it for what they do best: a picky bits tea, the best small bottles of wine you can drink on a train, and, now I’m in my thirties, the occasional wardrobe upgrade.
However, upon learning that I was now living 10 minutes away from the North’s largest M&S store, located at Cheshire Oaks, I felt it was essential to check it out.
Before you Londoners protest, yes, there is technically a bigger M&S in Marble Arch. However, this northern offering is the largest M&S has ever built from scratch (and besides, plans are currently in motion to redevelop the one in the capital). It also has the lofty title of ‘second biggest M&S in the world’.
As I ventured to the mammoth shop, roughly the size of 11 Olympic swimming pools, I had some questions.
What could such vastness encapsulate? Wardrobes you could find Narnia in? Or just row after row of padded gilets?
As it turns out, it held more than a few surprises. Here’s how I got on.
Getting to M&S Cheshire Oaks
Cheshire Oaks is located off of Stanney Woods Avenue, Goodwood Square, Ellesmere Port (CH65 9GZ).
If you’re driving, it’s very difficult to miss, but it’s located right by the turnoff for The Blue Planet Aquarium, and also very near the Chester Porsche Centre and Audi Garage. Following the signs for the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet from any of the nearby major roads should get you close enough.
In terms of public transportation, the nearest train stations are either Chester or Ellesmere Port, both of which require a short bus or taxi ride.
From Chester to Cheshire Oaks, the 1 or X1 bus stops at the outlet, or it costs around £10-£12 in an Uber.
Arriving at M&S Cheshire Oaks
Unlike my visit to the UK’s biggest Tesco, the size of this M&S store really does hit you square in the face — as does the fact that it’s environmentally friendly.
There are nods to the fact that this is M&S’s greenest store everywhere. From small details, such as the ‘welcome to your eco store’ sign and the ‘gabion’ walls, to the small ‘wild meadows’ that encourage insects and wildlife, and the vast ‘green wall’ covered in plants that flanks the two-storey car park.
And as soon as you walk through the doors, the sheer amount of choice on offer sets it apart.
Downstairs, you’ll find Women’s Wear (including Lingerie, Hosiery, and Beauty), while upstairs, it’s Men’s Wear, Kid’s wear, Luggage, and the Home section.
There’s also an enormous beauty hall that would rival your local Boots, with brands including Benefit and Estee Lauder, plus a food hall that’s almost its own supermarket.
The store has a mammouth 148,000 sq ft of selling space, and each section occupied the same floor space I imagine a local M&S store might need by itself, with hundreds of items from M&S ranges like Autograph, Per Una and Goodmove. It took one minute and 35 seconds to do the 132 steps from one side of the store to the other (yes, I timed it).
A ‘shopping mall’ in M&S
M&S claims this branch has the ‘most extensive range of M&S products’, but the store also had so many concessions that it almost felt like its own mall. You’ll also find rails of clothing from White Stuff, Seasalt and Jaeger.
Between the concessions and the M&S stock, the selection was pretty mindblowing.
Without wishing to sound too much like Alan Partridge, one of my biggest gripes is that I can never find shoes in my size — a curse bestowed upon those of us with big feet. Not so at Cheshire Oaks. Size 12s proved abundant.
The home section also featured the M&S x Fired Earth section — a collab that’s apparently available in limited stores across the country. And since my visit, the branch’s TikTok shows a fun selection of Christmas decorations have landed – including baubles shaped like M&S crisps.
Full disclosure: my M&S visit was timed ahead of the arrival of my firstborn, so I had a vested interest in researching M&S’s offerings for babies.
Upstairs at M&S Cheshire Oaks, there is a huge Mamas & Papas concession that (at the time of my visit) was holding its ‘Big Little Event’ with many items up to 50% off, and still regularly holds sales.
From sleep suits and blankets to adorable toys and baby-related gadgets, the concession proved to be well worth a look, as did seeking advice from the friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable staff.
Not only do they stock smaller items, but they also offer a wide range of prams, including a device I had yet to see in my baby-related shopping — a small test-drive ramp with various bits of mock terrain.
While that might be standard in large Mamas and Papas stores, it was definitely the first time I’d ever seen one in an M&S.
Outside of the Mamas and Papas concession, M&S also has its own extensive baby clothes line at M&S Cheshire Oaks, meaning that the entirety of what I’m terming the ‘north wing’ of the store’s upper level is given over to kids and baby items.
Eating at M&S Cheshire Oaks
After all the shopping, I had built up quite an appetite, so I visited one of the two cafes located on either floor of M&S Cheshire Oaks.
Combined, they reportedly seat a whopping 430 people – a pretty big number considering other M&S cafes are currently shutting their doors.
I went to the top-floor cafe, which is probably the larger of the two and takes up a good portion of what I’m terming the ‘south wing’ of the site… which may not be entirely geographically accurate.
The menu itself looked pretty good – a combination of cafe classics, light lunches and a tempting, tradional all-day breakfast (£9.95).
If that doesn’t hit the spot, then you could opt for the pesto eggs, with haloumi and asparagus (£9.95), a ‘berry bliss’ granola bowl (£4.95) or even pancake stacks (£6.00).
It being the morning, I opted for one of the ciabattas – mature cheddar omelette with tomato and chilli chutney, accompanied by their limited-edition ‘Kenyan blend’ flat white coffee. Perhaps a tad pricey at £6.30, but not too bad, all things considered, and it was actually really tasty.
If I’d stayed for lunch, I could have opted for ‘Gastropub’ fish and chips (£11.95), jacket potatoes (around £6 – £7), a selection of soups (£5.50 – £6.50) or some hot sandwiches (£7.50).
The hot drinks list also had a couple of quirky new offerings that included a Lion’s Mane latte (£4.00), Iced wild strawberry matcha (£4.25), a peaches and cream Iced latte (£4.10), and an Eton Mess milkshake (£4.25).
The fancy tracker system for getting your order to you also struck me as unique, as you’re given a pad upon ordering to place down on any table you like, and your food will be delivered to you: no buzzing, shouting, or holding up numbers.
After some more shopping, it was time to check out what might be a highlight of most trips to a Marks & Spencer: a visit to the food hall.
In all honesty, as first impressions go, the food hall at M&S Cheshire Oaks didn’t strike me as that big.
It’s tough to make estimates, but I’ve definitely been in M&S stores with a food hall of similar or comparable size.
Upon entering, directly to your right is the fresh deli counter, featuring freshly made baguettes, salads, wraps, smoothies, and more. Right next to it, you also have a pretty sizable Mai Sushi concession, with things like Miso Soup (£1.60), Sushi Kits (£4.50) and other Japanese treats.
Both of these also feature in other larger M&S stores, but they definitely made for a welcome addition at this one.
Everyone always talks up Lidl’s bakery offering, and justifiably so. However, the bakery at M&S Cheshire Oaks also deserves an honourable mention, with a pretty extensive selection of fresh pastries and breads.
While you had some of the more traditional offerings like pain au chocolat (£1.25), cinnamon buns (£1.85), and chocolate and lemon drizzle muffins (£1.50), some of the more unusual standouts for me included the strawberry merengue cloud (£2), the birthday yumnut (£1.85), and an apricot and madagascan vanilla croissant (£2.65).
What did I buy from the UK’s biggest M&S?
Taking full advantage of the Mamas & Papas sale, I managed to secure a ‘Wildly Adventures’ zero to six months sleep bag (2.5 tog for our winter baby) at the bargain price of £17.50 (50% off its £35 RRP).
While I suspect my little one will grow out of them in about a week (if they even fit at all), I also couldn’t resist a set of the Bear Booties for newborns – just £6, after the 25% sale discount was applied (£8 RRP).
Unable to leave M&S without purchasing something for lunch, I also took advantage of the fresh deli’s ‘lunch deal’ and got myself a Peri Peri chicken wrap with pickle slaw, along with a smoothie made from mango, pineapple, and passionfruit.
While this might not have reached the budgetary heights of when I managed to beat the Tesco Meal Deal, I thought the £6.50 offer was actually quite fair for what I got, which proved really tasty.
Staying true to my ‘picky bits’ claim, I also snapped up a mini grazing snack pack with Napoli salami, cheddar cheese, and mini bruschetta for just £2.60
How to get M&S products for less
After our trip to M&S Cheshire Oaks, I put my local knowledge to use and made the 10-minute walk across to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to check out what was on offer at the M&S Outlet Store there.
While the selection there is undoubtedly far, far less than its sister store across the road, there were definitely a few bargains to be had at reduced prices.
Some highlights included Slim-fit M&S chinos, which were down from an original price of £35 to just £8.75 and £12 respectively, and shoes priced as low as £20.
Continuing my hunt for baby gear, I managed to snag some adorable, zero-to-three-month-old stripey trousers for just a fiver (RRP £7).
The store also offers ‘not quite perfect’ and ‘clearance cleared up’ items that are sold as seen at a further reduced cost.
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21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Five fun activities to do this winter from spa breaks to escape rooms
Take the family for a pre-Christmas day out or book a spa break for the new year. Whatever you fancy, there are plenty of ways to do it for less.
21 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
The no-distraction tablet everyone’s obsessed with is on sale for Black Friday
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Do you ever sit down to get things done, only to be instantly derailed by emails, social notifications or the sudden urge to Google literally anything?
And yet, the moment you switch to pen and paper the to-do list disappears into the abyss? Because same.
That’s exactly the problem Magnus Wanberg set out to solve when he created reMarkable back in 2013 – a device that gives you the paper experience you love, without any of the digital distractions you don’t.
Some may liken these devices to an iPad, Kindle or Tablet, but they’re more unique than that. Allowing you to read, write and sketch without distraction, reMarkable boasts a high-friction surface that mimics real paper, allowing you to doodle your ideas down digitally.
Refurbished – reMarkable 2 – Marker Plus – Folio
This refurbished bundle comes with the reMarkable 2, Marker Plus, new Folio and nine marker tips. Allowing you to read, write and sketch without distraction, the reMarkable 2 boasts a high-friction surface that mimics real paper, allowing you to doodle your ideas down digitally. The Marker Plus even has a matte finish and built-in eraser for quick and easy corrections.
Then, the paperless pad’s software turns your handwriting into neatly typed text, saving, syncing and organising your notes so your ideas never go missing again.
That means no more piles of paper notes, lost doodles or coffee stained documents. Hallelujah.
Better yet, this Black Friday, reMarkable has launched its biggest offer with exclusive discounts on new and refurbished device bundles, including the reMarkable 2 and the newer, larger reMarkable Paper Pro, both of which will be reduced by £50.
A quick note: only bundles (not individual items) are discounted, but honestly, the bundles are where the real value is.
Refurbished – reMarkable Paper Pro – Marker – Book Folio (polymer)
This refurbished bundle comes with the reMarkable Paper Pro, Marker, new Book Folio and marker tips. This digital pad is ultra-slim and portable, but with a full-size 11.8” colour display, adjustable reading light, and an unmatched paper-like writing experience.
The reMarkable 2 usually retails for £389 including the marker, while the reMarkable Paper Pro goes for £559. However, the refurbished bundles include more items, and can save you more even without the sale discount, so it’s a no brainer.
For example, the refurbished reMarkable Paper Pro bundle with the marker and book folio will cost £538, which is less than buying a new reMarkable Paper Pro on its own (£559) – and that’s before the £50 discount.
Similarly, the refurbished reMarkable 2 is much more purse-friendly when you shop a refurbished bundle, with the reMarkable 2, Marker Plus and Folio (all refurbished) now coming in at just £329 down from £508.
Long story short: if you want the best value, refurbished bundles = double savings. It’s a no-brainer.
But what’s the difference between the reMarkable Paper Pro and reMarkable 2 we hear you ask?
They both offer the same, paper-like and distraction-free experience, but there are some subtle differences. Firstly, the size. The reMarkable Paper Pro is slightly larger in size than the reMarkable 2, and measures the same size as a piece of A4 paper.
The Paper Pro is also fractionally thicker and weighs slightly more, though both devices weigh under 1kg.
The other difference is the Paper Pro has a colour screen, whereas the reMarkable 2 is black and white and doesn’t feature a reading light.
The rare reMarkable sale will run from 20th November to 2nd December, so there’s plenty of time to grab a bargain – whether you’re snapping something up for yourself or a productivity-obsessed loved one.
We’ve already got one in our basket…
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