Latest news with #ColintheCaterpillar
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How you could pay 25% more for Colin the Caterpillar cake in M&S cafe than from store just yards away
We investigated the cost of Colin across the country and found that prices varied in supermarkets, cafes and petrol stations CONNIN THE CATERPILLAR How you could pay 25% more for Colin the Caterpillar cake in M&S cafe than from store just yards away Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE cost of Colin the Caterpillar is creeping up in M&S cafes – as The Sun on Sunday reveals you pay up to 25 per cent more for the cake than when it's bought in store. In Maidstone, Kent, the price of the mini-roll was £1.80 in the food aisles — but just a few feet away in the cafe, they sell for £2.25. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The cost of Colin the Caterpillar is creeping up in M&S cafes Credit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 In the shops Colin costs £1.80 Credit: Supplied 4 Colin costs £2.00 in the garages Credit: Supplied 4 Colin costs £2.25 in shop cafes Credit: Andrew Styczynski It was the same story in Durham, Wilmslow, Cheshire and Pudsey, West Yorks, where the 52g cake cost 45p more to sit down and eat. And if you pick up a small Colin with your petrol, you can fork out ten per cent more than in the shop. At Leeds Central and London Bridge stations, they also cost £2.25. Consumer expert Martyn James said: 'In challenging times, we all need a little consistency. So why is the iconic Colin the Caterpillar costing more depending on where you find him? 'It's bonkers to see such a price hike for the pleasure of dining with Colin in the same building where he's much cheaper to take home. 'So come on M&S, keep Colin consistently priced so we can all enjoy him.' We investigated the cost of Colin across the country and found that prices varied in supermarkets, cafes and petrol stations. And while there was little difference in price between locations, you pay a premium for the cake in London's Lewisham, where the price of a 52g mini Colin was £1.90 — 10p more than in other M&S stores. In the M&S superstore in Durham's Arnison Centre, shoppers were surprised to find out they were being charged more for Colin in the cafe. The tiny sweet treat is £2.25 if you want to eat it at a table upstairs, but just £1.80 in the shop downstairs. M&S launches new 'cute' Colin the Caterpillar style Easter treat and shoppers are going wild Courier Mario Condurache, 27, is dad to three-year-old Andrei. Mario said: 'It's very greedy of M&S to charge so much more in the cafe. It's all about the profit. I have a little one and you are forced to fork out more money. It's a rip-off. 'This would definitely stop me from going to the cafe.' Grandmother Maureen Waugh, 69, said: 'I think it's greedy, especially when M&S markets itself as family-friendly. I have grandkids, and it would put me off buying mini Colins. It makes you wonder what else is more expensive in the cafe. I'm shocked.' Launched by M&S in 1990, Colin soon became a national favourite. The store typically sells more than 450,000 of the chocolate roll treats each year, with 15million sold since 1990. An M&S spokesman said: 'There are additional costs when it comes to dining in at cafes and coffee shops across the UK, including legislated 20 per cent VAT, which plays a part in why some prices may vary to those in store.'
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major M&S boss reveals criminal gang behind crippling cyber attack
The cybergang is believed to have been founded in 2023 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MARKS & Spencer has revealed that hacker group "DragonForce" was behind the cyberattack that shut down its online shopping for six weeks. Chairman Archie Norman told UK lawmakers the attack crippled M&S's automated warehouse in Castle Donington, which is set to be back online imminently. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Norman said it might take up to 18 months to get the insurance payout for the attack Credit: Getty The breach disrupted operations in April and May, forcing the retailer to scramble to restore its systems. The hack saw click and collect services across UK stores go down, as well as customer information stolen. The group originally suspected to be behind the cyber attack was "Scattered Spider" - a notorious cyber criminal-collective. However, it's now confirmed that the attack was carried out by DragonForce. DragonForce creates ransomware that locks up a victim's files and rents it out to other criminals. A group of young, English-speaking hackers is thought to be using DragonForce's tools to attack companies. These hackers steal data and demand a ransom to unlock the files and prevent the stolen information from being leaked. The attack on M&S began on Saturday, April 19, with customers unable to collect purchases or return items. On April 21, M&S acknowledged the attack, apologised for the inconvenience, and engaged cyber security experts while notifying the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Despite M&S' efforts to restore systems, disruptions continued throughout the week, forcing the retailer to make operational adjustments, including suspending online and app orders on Friday, April 24. NSA warns cellphone users to change 'dangerous' message setting now or risk device being 'cloned' – it takes 3 clicks This decision led to a 5% drop in the company's share price. Shoppers reported empty shelves in some stores with staple items including bananas, fish, and the iconic Colin the Caterpillar cakes hard find in some shops. On May 13, M&S confirmed that some customer information had been stolen in the attack. On Wednesday, May 21, M&S said that disruption from the attack is expected to continue through July. Timeline of cyber attack Saturday, April 19: Initial reports emerge on social media of problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect services at M&S stores across the UK. Customers experience difficulties collecting online purchases and returning items due to system issues. Initial reports emerge on social media of problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect services at M&S stores across the UK. Customers experience difficulties collecting online purchases and returning items due to system issues. Monday, April 21: Problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect persist. M&S officially acknowledges the "cyber incident" in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. CEO Stuart Machin apologises for the disruption and confirms "minor, temporary changes" to store operations. M&S notifies the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and engages external cybersecurity experts. Problems with contactless payments and click-and-collect persist. M&S officially acknowledges the "cyber incident" in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. CEO Stuart Machin apologises for the disruption and confirms "minor, temporary changes" to store operations. M&S notifies the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and engages external cybersecurity experts. Tuesday, April 22: Disruptions continue. M&S takes further systems offline as part of "proactive management". Disruptions continue. M&S takes further systems offline as part of "proactive management". Wednesday, April 23: Despite earlier claims of customer-facing systems returning to normal, M&S continues to adjust operations to maintain security. Contactless payments are initially restored, but other services, including click-and-collect, remain affected. Despite earlier claims of customer-facing systems returning to normal, M&S continues to adjust operations to maintain security. Contactless payments are initially restored, but other services, including click-and-collect, remain affected. Thursday, April 24: Contactless payments and click-and-collect services are still unavailable. Reports surface suggesting the attackers possibly gained access to data in February. Contactless payments and click-and-collect services are still unavailable. Reports surface suggesting the attackers possibly gained access to data in February. Friday, April 25: M&S suspends all online and app orders in the UK and Ireland for clothing and food, although customers can still browse products. This decision leads to a 5% drop in M&S's share price. M&S suspends all online and app orders in the UK and Ireland for clothing and food, although customers can still browse products. This decision leads to a 5% drop in M&S's share price. Monday, April 28: M&S is still unable to process online orders. Around 200 agency workers at the main distribution centre are told to stay home. M&S is still unable to process online orders. Around 200 agency workers at the main distribution centre are told to stay home. Tuesday, April 29: Information suggests that the hacker group Scattered Spider is likely behind the attack. Shoppers spot empty shelves in selected stores. Information suggests that the hacker group Scattered Spider is likely behind the attack. Shoppers spot empty shelves in selected stores. Tuesday, May 13: M&S revealed that some customer information has been stolen. M&S revealed that some customer information has been stolen. Wednesday, May 21: The retailer said disruption from the attack is expected to continue through to July. Click and collect, next day delivery and UK nominated day delivery for fashion items are still unavailable with services set to be restored "as soon as possible". However, the retailer reintroduced a selection of third-party brands to its website last week, including Adidas, Columbia, and Lilybod. Meanwhile, the high street giant has reduced its standard home delivery wait times from 10 days to five for customers in England, Scotland and Wales. The M&S website also says home delivery in Northern Ireland will resume "in the coming weeks". M&S is now strengthening its cybersecurity measures to prevent future attacks as it works to fully recover from the disruption.
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I bought £30 M&S cake for a fraction of the price at incredible shop'
If you want an M&S sweet treat but don't want to fork out full price, you might want to consider visiting this outlet store where you can purchase slightly damaged goods for less A shopper who visited the Marks & Spencer factory outlet was blown away by the deals she managed to get there – and one cake in particular astounded her. M&S is known for having some of the best baked goods around, from Colin the Caterpillar to tubs of flapjacks and chocolatey treats. Their cakes, in particular, are immensely popular and come in an array of flavours and colours. However, many of their larger offerings don't come cheap. Travel content creator Nicole is on hand to help, having found a place where you can buy your favourite M&S goodies for much less than in store. 'Oh my God, right, I have found the factory where they make all the M&S fresh food and they have a factory shop,' she said in a now-viral TikTok video. The foodie couldn't contain her excitement as she showed viewers the M&S bargains she snagged from the shop. First she picked up a big bag full of mini chocolate caterpillars for £2.50. She also got a pack of flapjack bites for £2.50 and she remarked that the pack was 'so heavy.' Nicole then bought a large bag of strawberry and cream mini bites, again for £2.50. She explained that the treats are so affordable because they 'have all been slightly damaged,' so they get sold in the factory shop instead of M&S stores across the country. She then said she found a whole lemon and sponge roll she picked up for just 50p and a sticky toffee pudding for £1.50. Nicole ended by revealing the biggest bargain of them all: an M&S Naked Vanilla cake for £7. In store, these cakes can set shoppers back around £30. The price of the cake was so good, she ended up buying two of them. The factory shop is called Park Cakes Company Shop and it is located in Oldham, near Manchester. Inside the hidden store, she spotted a Doug the Dog cake for £2.50 that she thought was 'an absolute bargain' and full layer cakes for £10. The thrifty shopper explained that there are different items on offer each day. She shared: 'We went in for my daughter's party and managed to get everything for like under £10.' Nicole even found a large chocolate caterpillar treat for £1. The Park Cakes Company Shop is open to the public every day from Monday to Saturday but 17-year-olds are not allowed to go in. The content creator's TikTok clip has amassed 1.2 million views, 66,900 likes and more than 600 comments, at the time of writing. One user said: 'Literally down the road from me! Love a cheeky Park Cakes trip.' Another commented: 'What?! I've just stumbled across this and Googled it, it's 29 minutes away from me! Omg I'm going thank you lol.' A third pleaded: 'No don't put Park Cakes on the map.' A fourth echoed: 'Please stop putting people onto Park Cakes! It's my fave place.'
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The secret M&S factory shop hiding down a back-alley where you can get a £9.50 Colin the Caterpillar cake for £3
Bargain hunters can also check out the fridge section where they can find a cream Victoria sponge which for £1 SWEET DEAL The secret M&S factory shop hiding down a back-alley where you can get a £9.50 Colin the Caterpillar cake for £3 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHO doesn't love Colin the Caterpillar cake? But what if you could get the cult favourite sweet treat for just £3? That's right, now bargain-mad Brits can get their hands on the beloved dessert without having to fork out for the hefty £9.50 price tag. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Marks & Spencer fans can now get the viral Colin the Caterpillar cake without forking out almost a tenner Credit: Getty 4 Shoppers can also snap up massive bags of mini crispy cakes and flapjacks for just £2.50 Credit: MEN Media 4 Bargain hunters can also check out the fridge section where they can find a cream Victoria sponge cake for £1 Credit: MEN Media 4 The Park Cakes Company Shop in Oldham is so secret that there are now signs banning thrifty shoppers from taking photos or videos inside Credit: MEN Media The hidden cake factory shop offers massive cut-price bargains on treats made for Marks & Spencer and other popular retailers. The Park Cakes Company Shop in Oldham is so secret that there are now signs banning thrifty shoppers from taking photos or videos inside. The factory shop is open to the public, and the store is where baked goods that don't quite make the quality standards in the factory head to. So shoppers are getting a slightly wonky layer or not the required amount of topping - but the taste is just as good. At this time of year, bargain-mad Brits are going to be getting a whole host of seasonal offcuts made at the factory, such fruit cakes, yule logs and larger desserts. According Manchester Evening News, who paid the store a visit on the weekend, the queue wait was no more than ten minutes. Once inside there was then another queue snaking right around the shop to the till. For those not in the know, the factory shop doesn't reveal which supermarkets these cake offcuts are intended for - they are simply packaged and labelled with all the ingredients, best before date and a price. Although it's known that this Oldham factory is the official cake maker for M&S, and they've been making its "Best Ever" Yule Log this year, a cream and ganache dessert take on the classic Christmas cake, which has sold out online and is flying out of shelves for a whopping £15. Even giant rainbow cakes and cookies and cream cakes that you're looking at forking out £25 for in stores are priced at a mere fiver here. I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing Another cult favourite treat is, of course, the giant Colin the Caterpillar, which costs £50 when ordering online - and here, it's just £10. However, it's worth mentioning that he's got no face attached. According to the publication, there are also massive bags of mini crispy cakes and flapjacks for just £2.50, and tubs of mini rolls for £1. Shoppers can also go for a beautiful iced and decorated Christmas cake for £3, and a quirky "Doug the Dog" cake (like a caterpillar cake) priced at £2.50 that's is perfect for kids' to tuck into. Bargain hunters can also check out the fridge section where they can find a cream Victoria sponge which goes for £1, as well as a tub of mini rolls that can be used for treats for just £1. Due to the nature of the place, stock changes daily so you never know what you're going to get there. Also, customers need to be aware there's a strict policy of no under-17s allowed inside. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
The secret M&S factory shop hiding down a back-alley where you can get a £9.50 Colin the Caterpillar cake for £3
WHO doesn't love Colin the Caterpillar cake? But what if you could get the cult favourite sweet treat for just £3? That's right, now bargain-mad Brits can get their hands on the beloved dessert without having to fork out for the hefty £9.50 price tag. 4 Marks & Spencer fans can now get the viral Colin the Caterpillar cake without forking out almost a tenner Credit: Getty 4 Shoppers can also snap up massive bags of mini crispy cakes and flapjacks for just £2.50 Credit: MEN Media 4 Bargain hunters can also check out the fridge section where they can find a cream Victoria sponge cake for £1 Credit: MEN Media 4 The Park Cakes Company Shop in Oldham is so secret that there are now signs banning thrifty shoppers from taking photos or videos inside Credit: MEN Media The hidden cake factory shop offers massive cut-price bargains on treats made for Marks & Spencer and other popular retailers. The Park Cakes Company Shop in Oldham is so secret that there are now signs banning thrifty shoppers from taking photos or videos inside. The factory shop is open to the public, and the store is where baked goods that don't quite make the quality standards in the factory head to. So shoppers are getting a slightly wonky layer or not the required amount of topping - but the taste is just as good. read more on food At this time of year, bargain-mad Brits are going to be getting a whole host of seasonal offcuts made at the factory, such fruit cakes, Once inside there was then another queue snaking right around the shop to the till. For those not in the know, the factory shop doesn't reveal which supermarkets these cake offcuts are intended for - they are simply packaged and labelled with all the ingredients, best before date and a price. Most read in Fabulous Although it's known that this Oldham factory is the official cake maker for M&S, and they've been making its "Best Ever" Yule Log this year, a cream and ganache dessert take on the classic Christmas cake, which has sold out online and is flying out of shelves for a whopping £15. Even giant rainbow cakes and cookies and cream cakes that you're looking at forking out £25 for in stores are priced at a mere fiver here. I DIY-ed a 'professional' level kids' birthday cake for less than £25 using Amazon & eBay buys - I didn't bake a thing Another cult favourite treat is, of course, the giant Colin the Caterpillar, which costs £50 when ordering online - and here, it's just £10. However, it's worth mentioning that he's got no face attached. According to the publication, there are also massive bags of mini crispy cakes and flapjacks for just £2.50, and tubs of mini rolls for £1. Shoppers can also go for a beautiful iced and decorated Christmas cake for £3, and a quirky "Doug the Dog" cake (like a caterpillar cake) priced at £2.50 that's is perfect for kids' to tuck into. Bargain hunters can also check out the fridge section where they can find a cream Victoria sponge which goes for £1, as well as a tub of mini rolls that can be used for treats for just £1. Due to the nature of the place, stock changes daily so you never know what you're going to get there. Also, customers need to be aware there's a strict policy of no under-17s allowed inside. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
