Asda has become the latest supermarket to trial a four-day working week for its staff at some of its UK stores.
It's part of the supermarket giant's wider "case for change" to improve employee working conditions.
Following in the recent footsteps of a number of other fellow supermarket retailers – including M&S, Sainsbury's, and more – Asda has confirmed that it’s now offering some of its staff the chance to work just four days a week.
The new flexible work perk is said to have been introduced back in September last year as an option for Store Managers, and forms part of the supermarket giant’s wider “case for change” and its attempts to improve working conditions after significant walkouts among senior staff were threatened, according to reports in The Telegraph.
Image: Asda
Reports have suggested that the company’s owners, the Blackburn-born billionaire Issa brothers, are in the process of trying to rebuild relations with senior employees, and the four-day work week trial – which is set to be concluded later this month – is a major part of this.
It comes after a barrage of cost cuts and concerns over culture have led to Store Managers “leaving in their droves”.
The retailer was also braced for its first-ever strike later this month, with employees at a superstore in Gosport set to walk out from this Friday (19 January), but it’s believed that this industrial action has now been called off.
On top of the introduction of four-day working, Asda’s apparently also experimenting with other flexible working arrangements too – such as shorter shifts.
Asda says initial staff feedback from the trial has been “positive” so far.
Image: Asda
An Asda spokesperson told The Telegraph: “Since September 2023, we have been trialling a variety of flexible working patterns for managers in 20 stores, including a four-day working week for the same pay and benefits. There has been no reduction in the number of hours that hourly-paid colleagues are contracted to work as a result of this trial.
“While we are still evaluating the results, the feedback from participating colleagues has been very positive.”
Asda’s trialling of the shorter working week also comes after the world’s largest four-day work pilot began in June 2022, and ran for a total of six-months before it was brought to a close earlier last year – with 91% of participating companies calling it a “success”.
Leeds City Council have revealed the exciting new concept for Abbey House Museum.
Opened to the public almost 100 years ago in 1927, the historic Grade II listed museum originally served as Kirkstall Abbey’s gatehouse until the dissolution of the monasteries.
The plans for the site have been drawn up as part of a 'Reimagining Project' supported by Leeds City Council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Museum Renewal Fund.
The concept aims to create a more interactive visitor experience as the museum goes into its centenary year, with a main focus on intergenerational play for people of all ages to enjoy together.
Image: Supplied
Leeds’ rich collections will be at the heart of the museum, whilst the proposals include enhancing the museum’s traditional streets to enhance and include magical reveals that will let the public experience history through hands on activities.
The proposals mark a new direction for Abbey House Museum, which was put forward for potential closure in 2024 as part of measures to help Leeds City Council address unprecedented budget pressures.
A public appeal saw the council listen to the community, agreeing to keep it open and pledge to make steps to make the museum more sustainable in the future.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “This is an exciting moment for the future of Abbey House Museum and one which we hope will be the beginning of a bold new direction for a special place which has been part of the Kirkstall community for centuries.
“During the public consultation on the museum’s future, what really came across was the passion and determination people have to see the site succeed, and we want to channel that enthusiasm into creating an attraction which can continue to welcome visitors for many years to come.”
Independent Leeds matcha stand forced to close by council despite 3,000 people signing petition
Clementine Hall
An independent matcha stand in Leeds has been forced to closed due to council concerns.
You may remember back in August when the whole of Leeds rallied to save Sips Matcha over in Headingley.
The front garden matcha spot has become a firm favourite for students and locals alike over the past year, gaining more than 12,000 followers on Instagram.
The self-proclaimed 'tiniest matcha stand in Leeds' is located in the residential area of Little Woodhouse and is run by the lovely Matt and Julia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, in August their retroactive planning application was rejected by the council and they were given 28 days to remove the shed.
In a published document via Leeds City Council website, multiple reasons were listed for the decision to refuse planning permission for the bright-green matcha shed.
The electronic letter signed by Martin Elliot, Chief Planning Officer, listed spoiling the property's character, increased footfall, and a failure to comply with numerous development and design policies.
In response, Matt and Julia launched a petition urging people to save Sips Matcha, labelling the painted wooden shed-turned-coffee shop as a 'Community Stand'.
Despite over 3,000 signatures, Sips Matcha have announced on their social media today that the shed must be removed by the end of November.
The statement reads: "our retrospective planning was declined, we appealed, and the appeal was dismissed. then the dreaded email arrived: the shed has to come down by the end of november.
"we don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re working out what happens next. over 3,000 of you signed the petition and it meant the world. thank you for every sip, share and signature. come say hi while we’re still here."
We're absolutely gutted for them, so make sure you pop by for a matcha before the end of November to give them a proper farewell.
Emily Sergeant -
18th January 2024 
