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Clutching a bulging M&S shopping bag, a young woman – no older than 25 – holds it up to the camera and declares she’s ‘done some damage’.

Then she asks her TikTok followers a dilemma that has been on all our minds: ‘Am I old or is M&S just so good now?’

Gen-Zer Meg Helm’s adoration for her high street haul is met with a flurry of opinions divided on whether she should be worried. It’s a question that has been frequently asked on social media over the last few months, as many of us wonder if our ageing process has suddenly picked up speed while checking out the rails of Marks & Spencer.

Thankfully, there is no need to start bulk buying hyaluronic acid just yet, as it turns out that 141-year-old M&S has done a bit of a Benjamin Button, with the British high street staple being transformed from the place your nan buys her elastic-waisted linen trousers to one of Gen Z’s favourite stockists. 

The sudden revitalisation of M&S is no coincidence, but largely the work of the very fashion-savvy Maddy Evans. She joined the women’s fashion department in 2019 after leaving her role at Topshop as head of buying, and has recently been promoted to a newly created role, director of womenswear. 

When Maddy hopped on board, M&S sales were plummeting – they’d fallen out of the FTSE 100 and then chief executive, Steve Rowe, even admitted that they had a reputation for ‘frumpiness’. 

Now it’s a different story entirely, with M&S clothing and home division sales increased 5.3% year-on-year in their most recent financial results.

Of course, Maddy didn’t do it alone — her team of clothing Avengers who joined her around the same time include head of womenswear design Lisa Illis (formerly Nike), and head of merchandising for womenswear Helen Wilson (also Topshop alumni).

From OAP to Gen Z

Let’s be real, this isn’t a complete underdog rising through the ranks. M&S has always had a strong presence (aka ‘that girl’ in young people’s speak) since it first emerged on the high street in 1884, but recently they’ve managed to turn themselves front and centre of the fashion conversation. 

We’ve seen this happen to other legacy brands before, perhaps most famously when Stanley cups went from an item favoured almost exclusively by outdoor enthusiasts to the ultimate accessory after #WaterTok got their lips around the straws. 

While the M&S food hall was once the centre of attention (items such as their speckled egg cookies are still putting up a great argument for our cash), now their womenswear has become equally sought-after. Many people are even making comparisons to Zara – the long-time go-to for fashion fans.

Just last month, a £65 cropped utility jacket had the girlies arriving at stores for opening time with nothing but a restock dream and their Monzo cards. One friend recently disclosed to me that she was crowded around the item at 8am on a weekday with two other keen women. In a true moment of sisterhood, they all tried on the last three jackets before walking to the cash register together. 

M&S's star items

Tailored Collarless Blazer – £69

Pure Cotton Utility Trucker Jacket – £65

Jersey Side Stripe Wide Leg Trousers – £35

M&S X Sienna Miller Barrel Leg Jean – £49.50

Polka Dot Mini A-Line Skirt – £39.50

Fashion stylist Lynne McKenna has been in the industry for two decades and has been in awe of the high street store’s recent efforts.

‘Part of my job is pulling pieces for photo shoots, and I would often go to M&S for the wardrobe staples or their big moments like Alexa Chung’s collection in 2016, but now when I visit, everything is incredible,’ she tells Metro. 

Lynne believes the start of this exciting chapter in their journey began with the Sienna Miller collection in September 2023. The ultimate cool girl’s 33-piece clothing line instantly captured shoppers’ attention, with many items selling out quickly. Her barrel leg jeans were particularly sought-after and restocked three times.

This must-have factor has gradually spilt into every section from denim to tailoring and eveningwear. And the numbers speak for themselves – women’s partywear sales are up 49%, and knitwear has risen by 23%. 

‘I could fill trolleys,’ Lynne adds excitedly, as she chats about the stores’ current ranges. 

She puts their success down to their ability to have a little something for everyone. In the most simplistic terms, M&S are creating garments that a lot of people want to wear. ‘They’re very clever at designing things that are multipurpose for multi-generations. I could wear it, my mum could wear it, and my friend’s teenage daughter could wear it. 

‘For instance, they are selling a pair of wide-leg trousers with a stripe down for £35. The younger people wear it with a really cool crop jacket, I may do it with a baggy roll neck jumper, and then the older generation could choose a crisp white shirt.

‘It’s because the store started looking at not only who’s wearing their clothes, but who they want to wear them as well. Plus, the quality is high-end, but prices are still achievable for many.’

Spreading the word

Lynne says that engaging in the social media world and collaborating with different ages has also been vital to their success. IT girls of the digital realm, such as Sarah Louise Blythe, Naomi Ross, and AJ Odudu, have all been plastered over M&S’s Instagram. Meanwhile, social media management platform Social Sprout shared with Metro that in a recent 30-day period, there were 3.76 billion impressions on M&S’s social media and an average of 3,284 engagements each day. That’s without even taking into consideration the thousands of fan videos. 

Previously, shopping in M&S may have been something you whispered about, but now women are holding mini mics to spread the word online. One of the young fans doing just that is Anna Corkill, 24 – she is part of a group of TikTokers giving the high street store free marketing by sharing hauls.

‘M&S is a trending topic for my generation, with people making it a prime stop for new outfits which I haven’t seen before. My videos that feature them usually get high engagement,’ she explains.

Anna has deciphered that it’s not just the clothes contributing to the influx of young shoppers. Giving individual branches their own social media accounts to create localised content has made them fun and aspirational. Who doesn’t want to see the Romford branch staff lip sync to DJ Khaled ft Rihanna’s Wild Thoughts interwoven with shots of a Percy Pig cuddly teddy?

TIKTOK

‘The shop has always been an icon in British society — I got my first ever bra from there — but there was also this idea that it was mainly a brand for my stylish nan but not for me,’ adds Anna. ‘However, I have now noticed their product offering has developed to be more trend-led, which has drawn a younger crowd.’ 

Now focused on ‘creating greater visibility, improving replenishment, and reducing excess stock commitment and storage’, M&S can keep up with trends after it ditched a slower supply chain under Maddy’s reign. Part of this plan includes investing in new warehouse capacity to ‘improve availability and speed up delivery and returns’.

Influencer Yaz Moore, 25, has also noticed the effect of these changes and says that it is incredibly important, as her peers enjoy following trends. ‘Our fashion choices reflect cultural relevance, and a strong digital influence – TikTok trends, influencer hauls, and what celebrities are wearing.

Currently, we’re drawn to the minimalist clean girl aesthetic, quiet luxury, and love a good athleisure moment,’ she says, pointing out that M&S now ticks those boxes. 

‘Seeing influencers styling their pieces in a modern way helped change the perception,’ she adds. ‘One viral video can push a brand into the spotlight and have it sell out overnight. I went to my local M&S for a trench coat I’d seen in videos, and it was gone off the shelves. The response to my own videos has been insane.’

The future of M&S

Having a front-row seat to the fashion industry, Lynne is excited about what the recent activity at the store could mean, especially after a hard few years.

‘A lot of brands were playing it quite safe and going for simplicity as lockdown affected our tastes. Everyone just went off fashion for a bit, and it has taken a long time to recover, longer than we thought,’ she explains. 

‘But now, when I walk down the high street, I see exciting stuff from other places too like Abercrombie and River Island. They’ve all got a burst of fashion excitement.

‘It’s encouraging some nice, healthy competition and they’re all making each other better. Fashion is definitely back – and it seems like M&S are leading it.’ 

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Josie.Copson@metro.co.uk 

Share your views in the comments below.

After parting ways after nine years together, former couple Moon Onyx Starr and Cyrus Starr decided to remain best friends, and any new partners have to be comfortable with their enduring platonic bond

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Longchamp’s Le Pliage bag is an iconic bag many use for work, travelling, and everyday use because it is stylish and spacious.  But, we think we have found a very affordable alternative from Mango, which we simply can’t gate keep. 

Mango has created the Shopper Bag, which resembles the Longchamp Le Pliage Tote Bag, as both designs feature a fabric exterior, contrast top handles and a zip top fastening. We love nothing more than hunting affordable alternatives to designer bags, whether it’s from M&S, Mango, or other retailers, and we must admit, we had to double take when we glanced Mango’s ‘it’ bag. 

The Mango Shopper Bag looks almost identical to Le Pliage Large Tote Bag, though its measurements are slightly bigger, meaning you can carry a little bit more inside, which is always a winner. 

Mango Shopper Bag

The large tote bag features two large shoulder straps to style this bag over your shoulder, or wear as a handbag.

Crafted from polyamide and polyurethane fabric, with contrast brown straps. It features a zip top fastening to protect your valuables inside.

It measures 18.9 inches in length, 11.42 in height and 7.87 inches in width, and is available in four colours.

BUY NOW FOR £22.99

Longchamp Le Pliage Original L Tote Bag

Crafted from recycled polyamide canvas, with leather trimmings on the top handles and top flap for extra durability. Plus, it features a coated interior to protect your bag.

With two long straps, a zip top fastening, as well as flap button top, this bag has been designed to provide a secure space to house your valuables – including a laptop – and fold away neatly.

Available in seven colourways.

BUY NOW FOR £120

Mango’s Shopper Bag has been crafted from a polyamide and polyurethane fabric blend, which is similar to Longchamp’s original, which has been created using recycled polyamide canvas for the outer.  The subtle difference is the designer alternative boasts an inner coating and leather trim details on the handle and button fastening on the top flap of the bag for extra durability and security – and to help keep the bag compact when folded away after use.  

The Mango design features two large top strap handles, which are useful to carry the bag on your shoulder, though you can carry it on the inside of your elbow, or as a handbag.  Similarly, the Longchamp Le Pliage also features two long top straps too. The straps contrast the colour of the bag for both brand’s designs, which makes it hard to tell the difference. 

Le Pliage comes in various sizes, and the large version measures 12.2 inches in length, 11.8 inches in height, and 7.5 inches in width, while Mango’s design is bigger in length as it spans 18.9 inches in length, 11.42 in height and 7.87 inches in width – just a slight difference. 

Both bags feature a top zip fastening. But, there is one standout difference – the snap button top, which is Longchamp’s signature finishing detail.  Almost all of Longchamp’s designs in Le Pliage collection feature a contrast flap detail with a popper fixture that provides extra security across the top opening, and makes it easy to pack away neatly. This is, of course, missing on Mango’s design. 

It’s unknown how many pockets are inside Mango’s tote bag, but the Longchamp version has two inside flat pockets to house your valuables. 

The other difference is Mango’s accessory comes in four colours, including black, navy, khaki and camel, whereas Longchamp’s design comes in seven tones: black, cream, navy blue, eucalyptus, tan, pink and red. 

Let’s not forget the price tag is hugely different, in fact the high street store’s creation could save you almost £100. It’s a no brainer.

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This weekend thousands of people will be pounding the pavement in London, as the London marathon takes place.

The runners will be undertaking the 26.2 mile route, and whether they’re an elite athlete or a novice, there’s no denying that it will have a major impact on their bodies.

Even with all the necessary training and all the right gear, even the fittest of individuals will notice considerable changes to their body when running such a distance.

Obviously, it goes without saying that running a marathon is a very personal experience and a variety of things will affect your run – such as stress, injuries and training. But, on the whole, there are a few different things that will happen to your body during it, and afterwards.

From endorphin surges to back ‘bounces’, experts share some of the things to expect when you run 26 miles.

Body enters overdrive mode

When running a marathon, your body goes into overdrive, uses up energy stores, breaks down muscle, and loses fluid and electrolytes.

Physiotherapist Sammy Margo, who works with Deep Freeze and Deep Heat, explains: ‘The body goes into overdrive, uses up glycogen (energy) stores in the liver, breaks down muscle and loses fluid and electrolytes – all of which contribute to fatigue and a sense of grogginess and tiredness after the run.’

Muscles become inflamed

Obviously, most people don’t run 26 miles every day – so it’s a bit of a shock to our muscles.

Sammy says: ‘Muscles become inflamed and sore – particularly the calves and thighs – and runners may develop cramp. 

‘Biomarkers of muscle damage – such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase – increase during the run, peaking after the end of the marathon. 

‘These enzymes take around a week to fall back to normal levels.’

She says warming up is essential to reduce the risk of sore muscles, particularly delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Performance Physique’s Head Coach, Arj Thiruchelvam, also adds that marathons cause substantial muscular damage – and this is even more noticeable if runners lack sufficient carbohydrate fuelling.

He says: ‘Very often we consider the impacts are limited to the visual (blistering, nail issues or swollen feet) but many runners also suffer joint discomfort post-race to go along with their muscular soreness.

‘These sensations are not the limit and that is why recovery is so vital.’

Cramps and joint discomfort are common

From over-contraction and overuse of muscles to a lack of sodium, there are numerous reasons why runners experience the notorious ‘cramp’.

Kimiko Ninomiya, the founder of women’s running collective Hot Boys Athletics, is running today – her sixth marathon – and she expects a few cramps and aches to happen.

She explains: ‘This time around, I like to think I’ve properly prepared and I’ve been consistent about all my training (from everything I’ve tracked on Strava, you’d say I’m ready). But I’m prepared for the race to take everything out of me. I’m expecting my hamstring to cramp up, ankles and knees to ache, back pain, a headache – literally all the worst things I’ve ever experienced combined into one race. 

‘I’m expecting to hobble from the finish line, like Bambi, while simultaneously feeling a wave of euphoria wash over me for having just finished such a hard effort. 

‘In the days following a hard race, my legs are always very stiff but it’s important to try to get moving, whether it’s tracking a short and easy run on Strava or going for a long walk around the city (my favourite is to go to an art gallery).’

Feeling on top of the world – followed by post-run blues

‘Runner’s high’ is a real thing – and it’s all down to endorphins.

Sammy continues: ‘Running this distance over several hours also increases positive neurotransmitters, like norepinephrine, and “feel good” endorphins – which keeps you alert and serotonin, which improves mood.’

But, in a similar way to a workout class, this effect does wear off shortly afterwards.

Kimiko says: ‘Beyond the very physical toll, there’s also the chemical drop-off that happens, when your serotonin levels switch off that my friends and I call “marathon melancholy”, where you feel quite sad/down, so it’s important to give yourself grace and try to surround yourself with people or things that lift you up.’

You’ll get (temporarily) shorter

According to the Journal of International Medical Research, you’re expected to lose almost half an inch in height during a marathon.

This loss in height is a result of the back muscles tensing under strenuous conditions and fluid loss between the intervertebral disks. 

But, worry not, this is only temporary and you’ll be back to full height when fluid levels are replaced.

Stress on knees, hips and ankles

Even when you’ve trained, your body still goes through a tremendous amount of stress while running.

Physiotherapist Ben Lombard says: ‘The muscles in your hips, knees, ankles and spine are constantly loaded with each step, which is a great way to strengthen them – but if loaded too much too soon you can easily create overload injuries. 

‘These commonly include muscle sprains, tendon injuries, or even ligament sprains and bone stress injuries.’

Ben says to help lessen the load on your joints, it all comes down to training and preparation.

He explains: ‘To run 26.2 miles, you should condition your body appropriately with a carefully considered training plan. 

‘This should include both running and strength and conditioning sessions. Your runs should get progressively longer, and ideally you will do some shorter faster intervals, some race-paced runs, and some hills, too.’

Strain on your spine

While you might think your knees and ankles get the worst of it when running 26 miles, Michael Fatica – a consultant osteopath for The Back in Shape Program – says it’s actually our backs that take the full impact.

He explains: ‘The action of running causes a repetitive impact on the load bearing structures of the lower back – primarily the discs.

‘When running, the main force is one of impact going through the body, the joints of the lower limbs, ankles, knees and hips and the into the spine. When we think of the impact on our lower back – even with good posture – the average marathon consists of somewhere between 55,000 and 65,000 steps. 

‘Think of these steps as tiny impacts through the spine for the duration of the event. From the outset in the early part of the race, you’re likely soft on your feet, posture tall and efficient. As time wears on and the number of steps climbs, more and more of these impacts will become less efficiently handled by our bodies. 

‘At the same time, your postural muscles will be having to manage these many “bounces” up and down during the entirety of the event.’

As a result, runners might experience fatigue and discomfort in the lower back at the end of the gruelling run.

This article was first published on September 25, 2023.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

The first time Martin and Amanda Walker came across the term ‘SUDEP’ was after the death of their daughter.

‘I had never heard of it, or been told about it,’ says Amanda.

Amber died aged 22, alone in her bed, in 2023.

Amber was ‘extremely entertaining,’ says Martin. ‘She was high-spirited, clever, totally had a mind of her own. She loved to sing and act.’

She had her first seizure aged nine but wasn’t diagnosed with epilepsy until just before her 13th birthday. Neither she nor her parents were ever told about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

‘Very few people have even heard of it,’ Amanda says. ‘Information is just not out there. We regularly saw consultants with Amber, she had great care, and that whole time nobody ever mentioned SUDEP. Not once.’

Epilepsy is not a fatal condition, yet in the UK, approximately 1,200 people die from causes related to epilepsy each year, and SUDEP deaths are reported to account for up to 50% of those.

Research into SUDEP risks, and its mitigating factors, has existed for years, yet hundreds of families continue to report hearing about it only after their loved one has died. 

After Amber’s death, Amanda met with Amber’s consultant to ask why he had omitted such crucial information. ‘He just couldn’t give me an answer,’ she says.

The consultant implied that the conversation around SUDEP was ‘difficult’. ‘But so is telling someone they’ve got cancer,’ says Amanda. ‘You don’t just avoid it.’

Why have doctors avoided mentioning SUDEP?

Jane Hanna OBE is one of the five founder members of charity SUDEP Action, which she formed after losing her then partner, Alan, to SUDEP in 1990 – he was 27.

She says that for a range of reasons neurologists have struggled to communicate SUDEP.

Fear and misunderstanding around epilepsy are a factor. Stigma dates back to the late 19th century (when epilepsy was considered a supernatural, rather than neurological, condition) and still casts a shadow over how it and its risk factors, is understood and discussed.

As late as the early nineties, ‘the overriding message to people with epilepsy and their families was that this was a bread and butter neurological condition, not anything to worry about,’ says Hanna. 

Many SUDEP deaths are avoidable

Research driven by the charity (then known as Epilepsy Bereaved) as well as national reports including Epilepsy Death in the Shadows, welcomed by then Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson, challenged this perception. In 2000, SUDEP Action secured government funding for the very first national inquiry into epilepsy deaths. The report revealed that roughly 40% of epilepsy deaths are avoidable; more recent research puts this figure at 80%.  

People with epilepsy were, ‘dying of complacency’ says Hanna, ‘and being treated differently from other people with risky, long-term conditions – from conditions that were less risk than epilepsy’.

A national report found that SUDEP was only communicated in 1% of medical records examined. 

A definition of SUDEP was finally included in the UK national clinical guidelines in 2004, as well as directives for SUDEP and epilepsy care and properly recording epilepsy deaths.

Both Hanna and Martin and Amanda are passionate that information about SUDEP must be given to patients early on in their diagnostic journey, especially as ‘it doesn’t have to be [bad news],’ says Martin, ‘because many SUDEP deaths are preventable.’ 

‘There is this problem before death that people living with the condition and families aren’t empowered,’ says Hanna, ‘and then there is this problem after death that families are very shocked by the sudden realisation about what they were dealing with.’ 

Sandie and Becky’s story

Sandie Scriven’s daughter, Becky, died of SUDEP aged 11 in 2004. A paediatrician agreed to an EEG and then an MRI to ‘prove wrong’ Sandie’s strong belief that Becky was suffering from epileptic seizures. The results of the MRI were due on May 6 – Becky died two days before.

‘It was the police who called us to say that Becky had died from SUDEP,’ says Sandie. ‘We felt totally let down by Becky’s GP, the registrar and the paediatrician – none of whom appeared to take us seriously or have any knowledge of epilepsy.’

Sandie continues to campaign for SUDEP awareness and is also adamant that information about it should be shared early on, enabling families to make ‘educated choices’. 

‘I have no doubt our lives would be vastly different if anyone had mentioned SUDEP risk while Becky was alive,’ she says.

Martin and Amanda’s plea

Knowledge of SUDEP may have also saved Amber. ‘Parents are already alarmed,’ says Amanda. ‘They need to know everything they can to protect their kids.

‘As a teenager, we were so careful with Amber – always chasing her, making sure she took her medication. We didn’t let her ride a bike or go swimming without someone watching. After she died, ‘Our first thought was: “why didn’t we know about this?”‘

Research indicates seizure control and reduction as the biggest mitigating factor for SUDEP risk. For this, medication is crucial – it’s largely agreed that up to 70% of epilepsies can be controlled by medication. 

This goes beyond simple drug regime compliance, however, especially when it comes to SUDEP. The key, says Hanna, is ‘getting the right medication at the right time. Knowing which meds are the most effective for which seizure types becomes really, really important.’

For Sarah

Last year, on March 10, we lost our beloved colleague Sarah Whiteley. Sarah was a fantastic journalist; she was Metro’s parenting columnist and a valued member of our first-person and opinion desk.

Sarah died aged 39 from SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. It is thought that every year around 1,000 people die from causes related to epilepsy.

With support from Sarah’s family, Metro is fundraising for two very important charities: SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Action.

Sarah was so incredible at helping other people share their experiences; she was a born storyteller and we hope to do her proud with this series, while raising money in her memory.

The Walkers claim that Amber was undermedicated at the time of her death. ‘Her toxicology report showed that one of her drugs was at therapeutic levels but a second drug was under. She should have been on more.’ 

A dose increase had been mentioned by one of Amber’s doctors but only after they had reassured Amber that she was ‘doing fine’. 

Knowledge is power

‘They never told Amber, “this is something you need to do”. If we’d known about SUDEP, we as her parents would have increased her medication, whether Amber wanted to or not,’ says Amanda.

‘In hindsight, there were red flags that Amber had a heightened risk of SUDEP,’ says Martin. ‘In the eight months before her death, she had six seizures, with four of them coming in a cluster, within an hour of each other – that was unusual for her.’ At 22, she was in the highest-risk age-group for SUDEP, which Hanna cites as 20-40.

For Sandie and her family, misinformation around epilepsy medication, combined with a lack of clinical knowledge, led to devastating consequences.

Becky was seen by a doctor who said that ‘seizure control medication would be out of the question and that if she had already been on epilepsy medication, he would have taken her off it,’ says Sandie. ‘We have subsequently found this information to be totally unfounded and extremely dangerous.’

What help is available today?

Today, SUDEP Action offers support and empowerment for bereaved families, continues to drive and track research and also works directly with clinicians. The charity has also partnered with the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to create the SUDEP and Seizure Checklist for the over 16s, which was integrated into GP’s software during the pandemic. 

According to Hanna, this (along with other measures such as the creation of an app for patients) has led to a significant rise in the number of neurologists talking to patients about SUDEP, which she puts down to having a standardised tool and confidence that ‘this is what everyone is doing’. 

These developments have come too late for the Walker and Scrivens families, as well as the hundreds of others like them, many of whom continue to seek help from SUDEP Action. Beyond grief counselling, the charity is involved in up to 70 epilepsy death inquests a year.

The investigation into Amber’s death has been reopened, something Martin and Amanda say they have had to fight for as SUDEP was considered a natural cause of death by the coroner. Their aim is to prove that their daughter’s death could have been prevented.

‘Amber was having the time of her life when she died,’ says Martin. ‘We were away in Australia when it happened, which was the first time we’d ever left her. It was traumatic, and her death is still so raw.’ 

‘We need to get SUDEP talked about, get it understood,’ says Amanda, ‘to prevent other families living with the “what ifs”’.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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The recent news about Morrisons’ stores closing has hit me hard, anyone else?

Only last week I was invited to their wine tasting, where I sampled 100 of their spring/summer drinks. And let me tell you, they didn’t disappoint. More on that in a minute.

Meanwhile, let me quickly catch you up on the backstory: 16 Morrisons stores have closed with immediate effect this month, and one more is due to close next month. Over the next few months, they’ll be closing 52 cafés, 18 Market Kitchens, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.

It’s not that I do much of my shopping at Morrisons (West London isn’t exactly the supermarket’s stronghold), I couldn’t even tell you where our local branch is, if I’m completely honest, but it’s always a sad state of affairs when so many risk redundancy.

On a more positive note, their wine selection is going from strength to strength.

They’ve noticeably fleshed out the value side of their French wine offering at the £7 to £10 mark, which is where we like our wines to be. The retailer is also offering more premium wines in the £12 to £15 bracket and up to £20 for regions like the more spendy Châteauneuf du Pape.

Their ‘Best’ range has become even better, basically allowing them to complete with the likes of Aldi’s ‘Specially Selected’ range, and I’m here for it. It’s a vehicle to discover new regions and grapes on a day to day basis.

Here they are, then, the top 10 wines I put three stars against when I sampled them. These represent the best value for money, and I reckon we should make a beeline for them in case of anymore store closures…

Daybreak Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, £7, Coming Soon…

This extremely good value white, for £7, isn’t available quite yet. Sorry to tease, but you know what they say about good things. I mean, nothing about it is going to redefine your very existence, but it’s a perfectly lovely herbaceous, nettley, zesty Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand which you’ll love, if you like that kind of thing.

The Best Cotes de Gascogne, France, £7.50, www.morrisons.com

You know those electric daisies that make your mouth tingle like it’s been plugged into the mains? Well, this wine isn’t far off that, in a good way. It has the most refreshing acidity, giving it boundless lime-like energy and a pineapple sherbet finish. A zesty blend of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng that’s ripe for summer sipping.

Nectar and Nature Rosé, France, £7.25, www.morrisons.com

Hands up if you’re sick of paying through the nose for Provence rosé? You can’t see, but mine’s also in the air. Because there’s so much value to be had elsewhere, and IGP Mediterranée is a relatively new region that covers Provence, the southern Rhône Valley and all the way down to Corsica. Rosé country, basically. It produces wines like this, a juicy, dry rosé with flavours of watermelon and peach. Whispering, who?

The Best Vinho Verde Rosé, Portugal, £8, www.morrisons.com

Portugal is a great choice for anyone who likes super dry, yet fruity rosé. Specifically, Vinho Verde rosé from the region of the same name in northern Portugal. They’re typically light in colour, crisp with a dry fruitiness and even a slight bubbly tingle going on. Great case in point here, you’ll get a mouthful of cherries, blood orange and candied rose petal and you can thank me later.

The Best Crémant de Limoux Rosé, France, £12.75, www.morrisons.com

Journalists were effervescing with excitement about this wine at the Morrisons press tasting, which is appropriate, given it’s a sparkling. I can see why, it’s a cacophony of creamy rose petal, wild strawberry and red apple flavours, in a dry style. A blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and a whisper of Pinot Noir for colour, this would be an elegant fizz at double the price.

35 South Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, £7.50, coming soon…

Don’t drink this wine without a lit barbecue somewhere in the background. I don’t make the rules, it’s the law. Why? Because this is everything a grilled hamburger-matching Chilean red should be, bright and bursting with black cherry and red liquorice flavours. It’s made by the VSPT Group, one of the world’s top 20 wine producers, and the undisputed leading producer of Chilean value wines.

The Best Marques de los Rios Garnacha, Spain, £8.75, www.morrisons.com

I’ve written, “mouthfillingly plush with a voluptuous fruitiness” in my notes, with three stars by it. Must have been a good one, then. This is an example of Morrisons partnering with top-end wine producers across the world for their ‘Best’ range. Here, we have Bodegas Aroa based in Navarra, specialists in the Garnacha grape, so they know what they’re doing and it shows.

The Best Chianti Superiore, Italy, £9.50, www.morrisons.com

This red should be in a category called ‘pizza wine’, as it’s practically made to go with that disk of cheese and tomato with a meaty topping. Did I just mansplain pizza to you? I think so. Anyhoo, this wine has light but concentrated flavours of cherries, plums and caramel, and don’t forget to fridge chill it for twenty minutes before sipping.

Relais du Roi Principauté d’Orange, France, £13, ww.morrisons.com

A medium-bodied, chillable red from the Southern Rhône? You mean, not far from where the robust Chateauneuf du Pâpe reds come from? Exactly. Le Principauté d’Orange lies between Côtes du Rhône Villages and Chateauneuf du Pâpe producing jolly decent wines that won’t break the bank. The vineyards are nestled in the town of Orange, where they specialise in Grenache and Syrah, which happens to be the exact blend of this wine.

The Best Block Series Godelho, Portugal, £12, launching in May 2025

I love that Morrisons is launching the experimental ‘Block Series’ range, limited edition wines from desirable regions like Washington State, Margaret River, the Douro, you get the picture. It’s a ‘when they’re gone, they’re gone’ type situation, so you’ve got to be agile. Speaking of the Douro, this is from high-altitude vineyards in the Douro Superior, with a citrussy flavour profile that reminds me of digging into a key lime pie.

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There is nothing more we love than settling down for an evening into a marshmallow-like bed that we can drift off to sleep in a matter of minutes.

While we have tried and tested a variety of products to help soothe us off to sleep, it seems there’s an extra item we need on our roster – Fogarty Temperature Balance Mattress Protector.

The Fogarty Temperature Balance Mattress Protector from Dunelm has garnered high praise from shoppers for providing a cool, and comfortable, layer to their bed to help them sleep on a balmy summer’s night. 

Not only is this mattress protector practical, but it is affordable, and it’s garnered high praise – so much so it’s been likened to ‘sleeping on a cloud’, which is the ultimate goal when it comes to bedding, right?

Fogarty Temperature Balance Mattress Protector

Crafted from recycled polyester, which is ultra soft, and treated with Hydrocool cooling technology that helps to regulate the sleeper’s body temperature at night.

Cover the mattress protector over the mattress, and under the fitted bed sheet, for extra protection.

It also has a 30cm depth to stretch over the edges of plush mattresses. Available in single to super king size, and the price ranges from £12 to £22 respectively.

BUY NOW FOR £12

The Fogarty Temperature Balance Mattress Protector has been crafted from recycled polyester, which has been coated with a cooling technology, known as Hydrocool, that helps to maintain the sleeper’s body temperature throughout the night by drawing any moisture away from their body. 

The temperature regulating bedding is genius, as it ensures sleeper’s remain at a comfortable temperature at night.  This bedding is ideal for people of all ages, including children, as well as women going through the menopause, battling hot flushes and night sweats. 

The soft cover is ultra soft and gentle on the body, which is important as there is nothing worse than itchy fabric irritating the skin and inhibiting you from dozing off. 

The mattress topper is available in a variety of sizes to fit all beds, ranging from single to super king size, and the depth measures 30cm, which means it will fit plush mattresses too.

The mattress topper can be the final layer on top of the mattress, or some may choose to layer under a cotton fitted sheet – the option is up to you. 

This topper is only available in a crisp white colourway, which we prefer as we love nothing more than fresh white and crisp bed sheets. 

The affordable bedding item has garnered glowing reviews from shoppers, and amassed an average 4.8 out of five star rating – almost perfection.

Shopper Maddy shared: ‘It’s a very comfortable mattress for my little one and comfy for me too, as I have to practically sleep in the same bed every night.’

Another shopper, who goes by the name Lilolil, said: ‘Excellent quality mattress protector, perfect depth for my mattress.’

Amy added: ‘Super soft and comfortable! Adds that extra layer of comfort! 10/10 recommend’, while a separate Dunelm customer weighed in: ‘Feels like you are laying on a fluffy cloud, so comfy – I was considering buying one for our teenage kids but then realised they’d never get out of bed.’

The mattress topper ranges from £12 for a single up to £22 for the largest super king size version. Considering the affordable price, the fact summer is on the way and we are prioritising our sleep health, we urge you to shop this home essential before it sells out. 

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Our Place first came on our radar circa 2019 with its iconic Always Pan, which has since been modified to be even better – though we didn’t think that was possible. 

Fast forward a few years, and Our Place has expanded its range of kitchen appliances to cover various sized Always Pans, pots, griddle trays, even tupperware, and much more. 

If you are a fan of the brand, like Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Beckham, and us, or you have heard the hype and want to check out the brand for yourself, Our Place’s Spring Sale is the prime time to do so. 

As part of Our Place’s Spring Sale the brand is offering shoppers up to 35% off select items across cookware, tableware, and appliances. The sale includes single items, as well as cookware sets – even the Titanium Pro Cookware Set (we’re shooketh!)

Our Place prides itself on high quality and chic designs to take pride of place on your worktop.  But, it’s not just style over substance, as all designs are non-toxic, free from PFAS, and mostly multifunctional as the Always Pan can be used on all hobs, as well as in the oven. Plus, the gadgets can be used to cook in various ways too, so it’s a well worthy investment, even if you only venture for the Always Pan 2.0. 

Whether you are buying for yourself, a friend, relative, or as a housewarming gift, we have whittled down our favourites in the Our Place Spring sale. 

There’s just one finer detail you need to know – the sale is on now and will end on 11th May, so there is plenty of time to shop these bargains, while stock lasts. No discount code is needed, so just shop to your heart’s – and bank balance – content.

Shop Our Top Picks In Our Place Sale

Complete Kitchen Set

If you’re not sure where to start, or you’re blown away by Our Place so much that you want everything in the range, then the Complete Kitchen Set is the ultimate bundle.

The kit is almost half price, which is pretty impressive considering there are 45 items inside.

From the Always Pan 2,0 as well as the mini version, Perfect Pot, the Wonder Oven, to mini griddle pan, the bakeware set, egg poachers, to oven mitts, this set covers all bases.

What we love is it means all your kitchenware will be colour coordinated too – could there be anything more satisfying?

BUY NOW FOR £720 (Was £1,365)

Always Pan 2.0

The Always Pan is, arguably, the most popular Our Place product as it was the first to drop when the brand launched.

However, it has been modified over the years to be even better. The 25.5cm pan is non toxic, and has been crafted using the brand’s exclusive Thermakind material, which is said to last twice as long as ceramic nonstick coating.

This bestseller is 10 products in one, and can be used to cook in a variety of methods, including roasting, frying, steaming, boiling, and it’s even safe to use in the oven. Available in mini, standard or large, as well as five colourways.

BUY NOW FOR £100 (Was £125)

Perfect Pot

The Perfect Pot can house 5.2 litres inside, which is great for feeding large groups or for a big family feast.

The ceramic non-stick inner coating makes it easy to bake, fry, roast, braise, saute and fry your ingredients, plus makes for stress free cleaning up too.

Like most Our Place products this is a non-toxic design. While the 8-in-1 pot can be used in the oven up to 230°C, it is also suitable for use on any stove top too. Available in mini, which is also on sale for £90 down from £110.

BUY NOW FOR £110 (WAS £135)

Bakeware Trio

While you may have all your pots and pans sorted, it’s the bakeware to make your tray bakes, both savoury and sweet, that you need.

This set includes Our Place’s roasting pan, baking sheet, and stovetop griddle, which can double up as a wire rack to rest your treats on to cool down. Available in five colourways to suit your kitchen interiors.

BUY NOW FOR £130 (WAS £195)

Hot Grips

There is nothing worse than reaching for a hot pan or tray, only to realise it’s not cooled enough and you spend the rest of the day with your hand under a cold tap or wrapped in a wet towel. It’s dangerous business, which is why these nifty hot grips are a safe purchase worth investing in.

BUY NOW FOR £15 (Was £20)

Cookware Set

If you can’t decide between the Always Pan 2.0 standard or miniature, and have the same dilemma for the Perfect Pot, this set includes all of the above – and for less.

This set features the full-size and mini Always Pan 2.0, the full size Perfect Pot, the Perfect Pot 2.0 in a miniature size, as well as a steamer basket, two spatulas and two beechwood spoons.

Made from sturdy aluminium and a toxin-free nonstick ceramic coating, which grills, bakes, sautés, fry, roast, bake and steam, for easy cooking sessions.

BUY NOW FOR £280 (WAS £470)

Starter Stacking Set

Whether you are moving house, renting, or just want to replace your cracked and mis-matched cutlery, this set is a saving grace.

The 12-piece set includes four ceramic dinner plates, salad plates, and dinner bowls.Ready to host? We think so.

BUY NOW FOR £125 (WAS £215)

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