Iceland has announced that all mums will be banned from entering its supermarkets across the UK this Sunday.
“That’s why mums go to Iceland”… or this Mother’s Day, that’s why they don’t.
The budget supermarket has been known nationwide for its popular marketing slogan and catchphrase – which was mostly made famous by Warrington’s-own Kerry Katona on its 2000s TV adverts – but for one day only, this Sunday on Mother’s Day, the retailer is flipping that phrase on its head, and is, instead, banning all matriarchs from its stores.
Mums will be prevented from entering all Iceland and Food Warehouse stores across the UK this Sunday 10 March, with the supermarket encouraging them to “put their feet up” instead.
Announcing the so-called ‘ban’ on its official social media platforms yesterday, Iceland wrote: “It’s a fact that mums go to Iceland, however for one day only, we’re asking that they don’t go to Iceland. Sunday 10 March is Mother’s Day, and we don’t want any mums visiting our Iceland or The Food Warehouse stores.
"Instead, we want those icons that should be celebrated this Sunday to put their feet up.”
Despite the Mother’s Day ‘ban’ – which is set to be lifted on the morning of Monday 11 March – the supermarket did add one small caveat at the end of its order to mums: “Having said that, if you need some emergency Yorkshire puddings, you’ve ran out of toilet roll, or you want to treat yourself to a tub of ice cream, we’ll let you in for a couple of minutes…”
Icleand bosses say the one-day ‘ban’ is being introduced to “deter hero mothering figures” from shopping on what should be a day they are “celebrated and treated like royalty”.
“We know how important mums are and we know that mum’s shop at Iceland,” admitted Richard Walker, who is the Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, “but this Mother’s Day, for one day only, we’re asking that they don’t.
“Instead, send your loved ones, or alternatively, put it off till Monday.”
While many have seen the comical side of Iceland’s one-day-only themed stunt, and have viewed it only in good nature, others on social media have been a little more critical and have pointed out its lack of inclusivity when looked at it on the flip side.
Image: Iceland
Suggesting the retailer should take the post down, one person commented in response to Iceland on Instagram: “This isn’t going to land well. Mum’s who’ve lost babies? Single mums? Mums who work in your store? Working single dads can come then, even though they do it all already? Families without mums? Same sex families? Oh I could go on.”
Another critical commenter wrote: “What if they need food and they’re a single mum with a kid under 18 and there’s only them who can do the shopping? Good thinking Iceland.”
“Nice idea, but sadly so many flaws to it too,” a third wrote simply.
To counteract the critiques, others have defended the supermarket and emphasised that they see it for the “joke it is”.
“People need to learn to take a joke,” one commenter wrote on Instagram, while another said: “It’s tongue in cheek guys! Calm down and take it as that… jeez, some people love drama,” and a third wrote: “People have forgotten how to have fun and laugh”.
Despite the mixed response, and given the fact that it’s highly likely that it was intended as a marketing stunt and nothing more, Iceland doesn’t seem to be backing down from the move or retracting its statement.
As women around the world swoon over Jacob Elordi, he's too busy loving rocks and sheep.
In case you haven't been on social media over the past week and managed to avoid the influx of paparazzi images, the hotly anticipated 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation is out soon and with that comes heaps of red carpets, screenings and glamorous premieres.
Famously set against the brooding hills of Yorkshire, Wuthering Heights by our very own Emily Brontë follows the tumultuous love story of Heathcliff and Cathy.
Played in the upcoming film by Australian heartthrobs Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie.
During the recent London premiere where Elordi was seen wearing a rather dashing green three piece, the stars were asked what they thought the 'sexiest' thing about Yorkshire is by HitsRadioUK.
A valid question to which Jacob replies "rocks and sheep". I mean, he's got a fair point.
Margot Robbie went into a little more detail, she said "Sunrise and sunset in Yorkshire is a pretty dramatic experience. The sky is literally like red and orange. I honestly couldn't believe it when I was out there. The landscape is stunning."
Why thank you Margot, we absolutely agree. She continues to shower us with compliments stating that the "People are lovely. Pubs are great. I love it"
It seems like Margot has got Yorkshire pretty bang on there, and if she ever needs any pub recommendations then we'll absolutely help her out.
Jacob on the other hand, we know rocks and sheep are sexy but...have you ever met us?
Hopefully he fell in love with our county enough to come back, as we wouldn't mind bumping into him on a hike up the Yorkshire moors.
Miles Kane at Project House Leeds – an utterly electric night fuelled by leopard print
Fran Mallinson
MIles Kane is back in Leeds and he is better than ever before.
“Good evening Leeds, how the f*** are we?"
Everyone's favourite scouser came onto the stage wearing a perfectly fitted leather jacket, and it's safe to say the crowd roared.
It's been a few years since I’ve been in a Miles Kane crowd, the last time I saw him he was supporting Blossoms at Millenium Square back in 2023 and my gosh it's good to be back.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
His whole energy is just utterly infectious and makes him a complete joy to watch. I’ve always been a Miles Kane fan and I just love where he's taken his 2025 album ‘Sunlight in The Shadows’.
We were blessed with a whole stream of songs from over the years, my personal favourite, ‘Rearrange’ was played second and was such a treat. Kane got the crowd to sing back to him “let it out, let it out, let it all out” which soon made me realise you were standing side by side with true fans.
Throughout the setlist we heard bangers from over the years and mid-set Miles screams out “Leeds on a Thursday, come on” and to say it was grey and very wet outside, we all definitely brought the energy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Supporting Miles on his 2026 tour is Villanelle, you know Gene Gallagher’s band? Some could say nepo-baby but we say, when they were doing their own Leeds dates, they were class. Such a grungy, punk twist they’ve got and it's safe to say Gene has the Gallagher stance behind the mic.
As the set drew to a close Kane said “thank you so much and don’t forget who you are" which brought us to his last three songs, ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’, ‘Sunlight In The Shadows’ and the ultimate bopper and most played song on Spotify ‘Come Closer’ which just never, ever gets old.
In the words of Carrie Bradshaw 'and just like that' my first gig at Project House (can’t believe its taken me so long) was over.
As an overall venue, Project House really had it all, Kirkstall brews, a spacious cool environment and really fantastic acoustics.
And it was time to walk back to the train station along the canal on a lovely Miles Kane high and debrief the evening. Hopefully see you soon Miles, rather than leaving it three years again.
Emily Sergeant -
5th March 2024 
