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Iceland and Co-Op won’t force customers to wear masks in store
Despite new rules on mask wearing in shops and on public transport coming into force this week, the supermarkets say staff won't force customers to comply
Responding to new rules coming into force around mask wearing, supermarket bosses at Co-Op and Iceland have both said that their staff won't force customers to wear masks when shopping in stores.
In spite of new Covid rules coming into force from Tuesday this week, the supermarkets have said they won't be asking staff to enforce them.
Citing the "long-term recovery of the high street", Iceland's managing director Richard Walker said his staff could not and should not be asked to intervene if they see a customer in the store who is not wearing a mask.
He added: "we need to continue to encourage people to shop in stores if they feel comfortable".
The Co-Op has also said it would not be enforcing the use of face coverings and that customers will not be refused service at checkouts if they are not wearing one, reports The Sun.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Walker said: "We fully support the reintroduction of compulsory face masks in shops, however, we won't be asking our store colleagues to police it.
"Our store teams, alongside all retail workers, have shown heroic efforts in terms of ensuring safety for customers and building back consumer confidence and it's crucial that we stay focused on the long-term recovery of the high street.
"We need to continue to encourage people to shop in stores if they feel comfortable, and I'm hopeful that the latest guidelines won't discourage customers from doing so."
What are the new rules on mask wearing in England?
The comments come in response to announcements made over the weekend that rules on mask-wearing will be made stricter from Tuesday, 30 November 2021.
The public will be required once again to wear masks on public transport and in shops, banks and post offices, with police given renewed powers to issue those seen not to be complying with fines of between £200 and £6,400.
The new rules do not apply in bars and restaurants, however, nor in school classrooms, theatres, or cinemas.
What other measures are being brought in?
The Prime Minister has said that anyone arriving in England will need to take a PCR test for Covid-19. This must be taken on the second day of their arrival.
Travellers to England must then self-isolate until they have provided a negative test result.
Why have the measures on mask wearing been brought in now?
The new restrictions have been brought in in response to a new variant of Covid called Omnicron, which was named a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation on Friday.
So far, two cases have been detected in the UK and six in Scotland. The new variant is thought to be more transmissible, with scientists pointing to mutations in its spike protein.
They will be reassessed in three weeks time, on 21 December.
Loads of famous films are heading back to cinemas across the UK this spring to celebrate their milestone anniversaries.
From coming of age classics, to legendary romcoms, action films, psychological thrillers, and more, Vue has announced that it’s bringing a roster of much-loved film favourites back to the big screen over the next couple of months.
Kicking things off this weekend (12 April) is the 40th anniversary screening of Stand by Me, a beloved coming of age gem which follows four boys who decide to go see the body of a boy that has died in their rural hometown, while also returning to the big screen is 80s classic, Top Gun, as well as a re-release of the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, for a limited run.
A trio of classic female-led comedies will also be returning as part of the season.
Loads of famous films are coming back to UK cinemas to celebrate their anniversaries / Credit: Universal Pictures | Columbia Pictures
Beginning with everyone’s favourite diarist in Bridget Jones’s Diary – starring Renée Zellweger in the titular role – which returns for its 25th anniversary from 17 April.
Also celebrating 25 years since its initial release is the ultimate sorority-queen-turned-lawyer caper Legally Blonde starring Reese Witherspoon, returning 22 May, and an epic ensemble cast – including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Rose Byrne – in Bridesmaids, which is returning 15 years after its initial release.
The iconic thriller The Silence of the Lambs returns from 24 April, and other highlights include the anniversary releases of the riotous comedy The Birdcage, the cult fantasy adventure Highlander, and the feel-good family favourite Space Jam.
Tickets for all the films are now available to book at Vue Cinemas now.
“At Vue, we know there’s nothing quite like experiencing a great film on the big screen,” commented Mike Anton, who is the General Manager of Vue Manchester Printworks, ahead of the films’ re-releases.
“This anniversary season gives audiences the chance to revisit some of their all-time favourites the way they were meant to be seen, on the big screen, while also introducing these iconic titles to a new generation of film fans.”
Tickets start from just £4.99 when booked online, with some of the later films on the roster only becoming able to book closer to the time, so keep your eyes peeled.
For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.
Popular Channel 4 series The Dog House is looking for people from Yorkshire to adopt rescue dogs
Emily Sergeant
Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your chance.
The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, with producers on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home, and people from Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply.
Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.
Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.
Image: Channel 4
But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.
“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for The Dog House reads on the Channel 4 website.
“We’re looking for people who are considering taking the incredible step of welcoming a rescue dog into their lives and are happy to share their reasons for doing so.
“If that’s you, then we’d love to get you know you.”
Does this sound like you then? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.
The Hoot -
29th November 2021 
