A radio station playing non-stop Christmas bangers has launched in the UK, giving everyone an excuse to get into the festive spirit extra early this year.
Yes, that’s right – a radio station dedicated entirely to Christmas songs.
We know, we know, Halloween hasn’t even happened yet – but some folks just can’t wait to get stuck into Christmas this year, and who can blame them?
Considering what a flop Christmas 2020 was, if people want to get into the full spirit extra early this year then that's fine by us.
The Heart Xmas radio channel has now gone live for 2021 / Image: Wham / Vevo
If you’re the type that’s got Mariah blasting in September, then you should be absolutely made up to hear that a festive radio station playing non-stop Christmas music has launched in the UK this week.
Launched by Heart, the radio giant’s annual Heart Xmas radio channel has now gone live for 2021, and it’ll be playing festive feel-good tracks 24/7 from now until 27 December.
Soundtracking your Christmas right up until after Santa’s visit, listeners can expect to hear heaps of Mariah and Wham!, The Pogues, and more from the festive radio station throughout the next couple of months.
For a seasonal pick me up, tune in, and be reassured that there’s nothing better than a bit of crooning Bing Crosby of Frank Sinatra to lift your spirits. Trust us, their dulcet tones will certainly get you in the mood for some mulled wine and pigs in blankets.
We fully expect to see Christmas trees popping up in windows well before the start of December, as Brits seek to make up for that Christmas that wasn’t last year – and for those looking to get into the spirit early, this radio channel will do all your festive soundtracking for you.
To get involved, all you need to do is tune into the Heart Xmas radio channel via DAB radio, Global Player, or via the Heart website.
It’s the best time of year, so we might as well get stuck in early – it’ll do you some good.
Feature Image – Mariah Carey / Vevo
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Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd October 2021 
