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Welcome to the lastminute.com social media press office. Here you'll find all of the latest news and deals alongside some cool photography, videos and a widget or two as well. Stick around, have a play and let us know what you think.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

lastminute.com Launches UK Spa Fortnight

Leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com launches UK Spa Fortnight to offer a host of exclusive deals at some of the country’s leading spas for two weeks only.

Designed to help the nation rest and relax and recharge without breaking the bank, Spa Week will have a host of internationally renowned spas offering 2 for 1 spa days, complementary treatments and spa breaks. Top name spas include Champneys Health Farms, Fredrick’s Spa, Titanic Spa, Stoke Park Club and The Vineyard, to name but a few.

Up for grabs is Champney’s series of new Town and City Spa’s which provide luxury treatment rooms and pampering therapies, as well as pampering treatments such as manicures, pedicures and St Tropez tanning treatments. There is 2 for 1 on relax days from £65.00 or a two night stay with the second night free, which starts from £218.00.

Spa lovers have the chance to relax at Fredrick's day spa from just £115.00 for two people, instead of the usual £115.00 each. Enjoy a complementary glass of champagne on arrival.
The eco-conscious spa devotee can try the Titanic Spa, the UK’s first Eco-Spa, designed within a traditional textile mill and offers a holistic approach. During Spa Week this will be available at a reduced cost.

What’s more lastminute.com have teamed up with the Good Spa Guide – the UK's leading independent spa bible, to offer customers the opportunity to compare spas with their exclusive 'bubble rating' system so everyone from spa virgins and spa lovers can be sure they are making the right choice.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Two nights in a top secret hotel for the price of one, but when they’re gone they’re gone…

lastminute.com launches hotel night giveaway tomorrow night at 8:30pm

Leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com will be giving away an exclusive number of free nights stay in a selection of top secret hotels tomorrow night from 8:30pm..

Those lucky enough to get hold of one of these unique deals will be treated to two nights stay in a range of high end hotels for the price of one night. Top secret hotels is a unique service offered by lastminute.com where the hotel remains a secret until the booking is finalised but you are still guaranteed to get the same great service and quality as if you knew the name.

So instead of paying full price for a weekend away a little could get you an indulgent two day break at some of the country’s top hotels so harness that sense of adventure and join in because when the rooms are gone they’re gone…

This giveaway marks the beginning of a series of high profile ‘When it’s gone it’s gone’ giveaways from lastminute.com. These are set to continue throughout spring and early summer and are designed to help the nation make the most of their free time with new and creative ideas.

For more information contact:
Tony Harding
tony.harding@shinecom.com
0207 841 7096

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Amy Nuttall and lastminute.com give Manchester a taste of the good stuff

Store will open for 48 hours giving city the good stuff absolutely free

Lastminute.com will open a store in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, on March 13th and 14th giving the people of Manchester the good stuff absolutely free.

Those that come along will be treated to FREE massages and manicures, live cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions from a specialist sushi chef. If that’s not enough there will be prize giveaways to the first customers through the doors, and a complimentary cab journey, so people can to take some good stuff home with them. With this in mind, crowds are expected to flock to the store as the doors open at midday on Friday, March 13th.

Singer and actress Amy Nuttall, best known for her role as Chloe in Emmerdale, will be there to add a touch of glamour to this latest venture by lastminute.com, capturing the essence of good stuff that everyone can enjoy.

lastminute.com European managing director Simon Thompson said, ‘In these tough times when things are a little uncertain and everyone’s having to tighten their belts, lastminute.com wants to give people the chance to get some good stuff. This is the chance to be pampered, entertained and spoiled, all on us. We feel that giving good stuff to people epitomises the essence and culture of the lastminute.com brand as we strive to give people the opportunity to do more in their free time without breaking the bank.’

The lastminute.com good stuff store will open its doors at 12pm on March 13th Manchester, visit http://goodstuff.lastminute.com for further details.

Exclusive Michael Jackson tickets on sale at lastminute.com

Friday 13 March at 7 am

Leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com will sell 500 exclusive tickets to see the King of Pop bid farewell to the stage at the O2. These tickets will go on sale on Friday at 7 am on lastminute.com.

The 500 tickets are the only ones available for purchase outside the pre-registration on Michael Jackson’s official site and are up for grabs for fans with the fastest fingers. The allocation is spread across the ten dates announced by the artist last week with the first show on 8 July 2009.

The online retailer is also releasing some VIP packages for those fans that want to get up close and personal. These packages include seats in the first fifteen rows, overnight stay at top four star hotels, memorabilia, and champagne reception. Package prices start from £929.50 per person.

To book, go to www.lastminute.com

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For further press information please contact Charlotte Wilmots on 020 7866 4272 or email cwilmots@lastminute.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Amy Nuttall helps lastminute.com give the UK a taste of the good stuff by

Today (10.03.09) singer and actress Amy Nuttall opened the first lastminute.com store in Birmingham’s Bullring.

Amy who is probably best known for her role as Chloe from the long running ITV soap Emmerdale will be joining BBC drama Hotel Babylon in the spring. Alongside a string quartet and a representative from lastminute.com, Amy will add a touch of glamour to this latest venture by lastminute.com, capturing the essence of good stuff that everyone can enjoy.

Despite the current economic climate, leading online travel and leisure retailer, lastminute.com is giving the UK a taste of the good stuff as it launches its first ever live retail spaces in Birmingham on the 10th & 11th March.

The lastminute.com stores will give a selection of good stuff to the public including live experiences from the website’s wide portfolio of products absolutely FREE of charge. With this in mind, crowds in their thousands are expected to line the Bullring as the doors open at midday on Tuesday March 10th 2009.

Those that come along will be treated to FREE massages and manicures, live cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions from a specialist sushi chef. If that’s not enough there will be prize giveaways to the first customers through the doors, and to top it off, there’s an option of a complimentary cab journey, so people can to take some good stuff home with them thanks to lastminute.com.

Amy Nuttall comments, ‘I’m really pleased to be here in Birmingham opening the good stuff store for lastminute.com and giving the people of Birmingham the opportunity to receive loads of good stuff - I hope that everyone who comes along over the next two days has as much fun as I have.’

lastminute.com European managing director Simon Thompson said, ‘In these tough times when things are a little uncertain and everyone’s having to tighten their belts, lastminute.com wants to give people the chance to get some good stuff. This is the chance to be pampered, entertained and spoiled, all on us. We feel that giving good stuff to people epitomises the essence and culture of the lastminute.com brand as we strive to give people the opportunity to do more in their free time without breaking the bank.’

lastminute.com makes every effort to provide people with the good stuff by giving access to great things at fantastic prices all the time. And even now when things are a little tougher, lastminute.com affirms its dedication to giving even more for less, with great deals, great value and great prices.

The lastminute.com good stuff store will open its doors on March 10th at midday on the Birmingham’s famous Bullring will be open for 48 hours before it’s packed up and goes north Manchester, visit http://goodstuff.lastminute.com for further details.

Friday, March 6, 2009

lastminute.com Birmingham Good Stuff Store Launch

On the 10th March 2009, lastminute.com will open its first ‘good stuff’ store, in Birmingham’s Bullring. Adding a touch of glamour to this event is ‘actress and singer’ starlet Amy Nuttall,

Amy who is probably best known for her role as Chloe from the long running ITV soap Emmerdale will be joining BBC drama Hotel Babylon in the spring and will be available for interview

We expect to see thousands of people descend to the Bullring for the midday launch of the good stuff store.

lastminute.com is giving the UK a taste of the good stuff as it launches its first ever live retail spaces, giving a selection of good stuff to the public including live experiences from the website’s wide portfolio of products absolutely FREE of charge.

With the opportunity to get pampered, entertained and win incredible prizes, surely this is what Tuesday mornings should be about?

Eat with the Elite as Restaurant Week returns for its third year

- 2 March 2009 -

Online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com is pleased to announce it will launch its third Restaurant Week on 2 March.

Based on the successful New York Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week gives visitors to lastminute.com the chance to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost.

Last year over 100 restaurants took part including seven Michelin star establishments including Richard Corrigan’s Lindsay House, Almeida, Tamarind and Quilon, which recently received its first Michelin star and over 27,000 covers were made during the two week period.

The event offers two course lunches for £15 and three course dinners for £25.

lastminute.com has partnered for the third year running with Capital 95.8’s Help a London Child and a percentage from each booking will be donated to the charity.

Customers will be given the opportunity to book their tables at participating restaurants in London, Birmingham and Manchester on www.lastminute.com from 2 March for the chance to eat with the elite between 16 March and 30 March.
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For more information, please contact Hannah Shanks or email hshanks@lastminute.com or call 020 7866 4519

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Noah and the Whale to play free Covent Garden show

Indie-folk act will close lastminute.com’s good stuff store at 6:30pm on March 3rd

To mark the end of two whole days giving out lastminute.com goodies absolutely free at the good stuff store in Covent Garden , Noah and the Whale will be playing a free in-store gig to give London one last taste of the good stuff. The upbeat four-piece achieved mainstream success with their infectious top ten single 5 Years Time and are currently working on a follow up to their 2008 album Peaceful, the world lays me down.

The show is completely free and anyone can come along to see the band play live. However, fans will be let into the store on a first come, first-in basis so are advised to get to the store at 2-3 James Street, Covent Garden, early to avoid disappointment.

Following the gig the Covent Garden good stuff store will close for good before being packed up and heading north to Birmingham and Manchester, visit http://goodstuff.lastminute.com for further details.

Where: good stuff store, 2-3 James Street, LONDON, WC2E 8BH
Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2009
Time: 6:30pm
Cost: Free

Thursday, February 26, 2009

lastminute.com dominates our screens on 28th February with a UK media first

New brand campaign kicks off with one night only three-channel extravaganza

On 28th February 2009 leading online travel and leisure retailer, lastminute.com is showcasing a first in UK media buying. Three 60 second advertising slots, bought by Manning Gottlieb OMD, will run in sequence on different channels to allow the new Thumbs Up (lastminute.com’s version of the Mexican wave) ad creative to have a knock-on ‘wave’ effect through ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

This pioneering advertising experience marks the launch of lastminute.com’s new brand platform – do more good stuff. The basis of the creative is that lastminute.com helps people make the most of their free time with new and unexpected ideas for every single day; essentially encapsulating the very essence of the brand’s values.

At the core of the ad creative is the 'thumbs up' action, which flows between individuals, friends, families, couples and crowds all giving the thumbs to camera as we join them in the midst of enjoying all the good stuff lastminute.com has to offer. The Mexican wave inspired thumbs up compilation has a fresh and fun, all-be-it mesmerising effect as it goes from gigs and shows to rollercoaster rides and diving.

Simon Thompson European Managing Director, lastminute.com said, ‘This media first emulates the essence of lastminute.com, the excitement at the heart of our experiences and our constant hunt for innovative, inspiring offerings. We know our customers enjoy new ideas so felt this interactive and action platform was the perfect way to assert our TV comeback. Effectively this is new form of digital marketing (generating a sequence of movement through TV channels) and gets the audience involved by changing channels to carry on the ‘wave’ of lastminute.com lovers enjoying their good stuff.’

Matthew Wigham, Head of Broadcast at Manning Gottlieb OMD, said, “Working with ITV, Channel 4 and Five, to deliver sequential advertising across all three stations; to align the ad breaks; and guarantee the non movement of spots, is unprecedented, and a huge feat for all involved.”

Good stuff is a long term vision and its aim is to elevate lastminute.com above its competitors. The platform reasserts the brand as the facilitator of fun, excitement and will help to ensure the site offers fresh, cutting edge content that will really engage with the lastminute.com customer.

To get the public to play along we will advertise this unique media moment in commuter and weekend National press, informing them of what we're up to, and most importantly how they must tune-in to witness and join in this one night only, 3-channel extravaganza,’ explained Sid McGrath, Planning Partner at lastminute.com’s advertising agency KarmaramaNewly appointed agency, Shine Communications will create integrated traditional and digital PR campaigns for the brand on a six figure annual budget, starting with the launch of a large scale piece of experiential activity launching end of February.

The campaign is part of major new through-the-line investment in lastminute.com that focuses on creating deeper consumer understanding of the brand and how lastminute.com helps people make the most of their free time with new, creative and unexpected ideas and experiences for every day.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

lastminute.com gives the UK a taste of the good stuff

Launching first ever pop-up stores across the UK

Despite the doom and gloom of the current economic climate, leading online travel and leisure retailer, lastminute.com is giving the UK a taste of the good stuff as it launches its first ever live retail spaces, the first opening in London’s Covent Garden on the 2nd & 3rd March.

The lastminute.com stores will give a selection of good stuff to the public including live experiences from the website’s wide portfolio of products absolutely FREE of charge. With this in mind, crowds in their thousands are expected to line James’ street in Covent Garden as the doors open at midday on Monday March 2nd 2009.

From FREE massages and manicures, live cooking demonstrations, tasting sessions with some of London’s biggest chefs to live theatre and music performances by well known British acts, there’s something for everyone. If that’s not enough there will be prize giveaways to the first customers through the doors, and to top it off, there’s an option of a complimentary cab journey, so people can to take some good stuff home with them thanks to lasminute.com.

lastminute.com european managing director Simon Thompson said, ‘In these tough times when things are a little uncertain and everyone’s having to tighten their belts, lastminute.com wants to give people the chance to get some good stuff. This is the chance to be pampered, entertained and spoiled, all on us. We feel that giving good stuff to people epitomises the essence and culture of the lastminute.com brand as we strive to give people the opportunity to do more in their free time without breaking the bank.’

lastminute.com makes every effort to provide people with the good stuff by giving access to great things at fantastic prices all the time. And even now when things are a little tougher, lastminute.com affirms its dedication to giving even more for less, with great deals, great value and great prices.

The lastminute.com good stuff store will open its doors on March 2nd at midday on the famous James Street in Covent Garden and will be open for 48 hours before it’s packed up and goes north to Birmingham and Manchester, visit http://goodstuff.lastminute.com for further details.

Free credit crunch commute from lastminute.com

Get taken for a ride for FREE with lastminute.com branded black cabs

Londoners won't need to watch their pennies when hailing a lastminute.com cab this Saturday 28th February. Leading travel and leisure site, lastminute.com is releasing a fleet of branded black taxis offering free journeys to customers travelling to all destinations within zones 1 and 2 for one day only.

As part of the new good stuff campaign, lastminute.com is offering people in London, a credit crunch reprieve for one day only with a complimentary cab journey to any desired destination* across the capital in a lastminute.com branded black cab.

lastminute.com european managing director Simon Thompson, said, ‘In the current economic climate when people are trying to watch their pennies we thought we it would be great to give some good stuff to Londoners in the form of a free cab journey. This association epitomises the essence of the lastminute.com brand values as the site strives to give people the good stuff every day.’

lastminute.com will also breathe some fresh air into the high street from March 2nd across the UK, with the launch of their first ever good stuff retail spaces popping up in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The stores will give consumers the chance to be pampered, entertained and spoiled as lastminute.com gives out the good stuff for a limited time only in each city absolutely FREE. From fantastic prizes to free massages, food and entertainment, there will be some good stuff for everyone. The first store opening is the London store, opening in Covent Garden on the 2nd March at midday.

lastminute.com makes every effort to provide people with the good stuff by giving access to great things at fantastic prices all the time. And even now when things are a little tougher, lastminute.com affirms its dedication to giving even more for less, with great deals, great value and great prices.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The good stuff is coming…..

The 2nd March looks like any other date doesn’t it? Well how wrong you can be. Lastminute.com is planning to offer central London two whole days of good stuff free of charge. All you have to do is turn up and get involved.

What is the good stuff I hear you cry?

Well it is all very top secret. You can expect to be pampered, entertained, made to laugh, snapped, meet celebrity mystery guests and all in all have a blast

You can see more, eat more, sky more, fly more, explore more, give more and do more good stuff with lastminute.com and that’s exactly what the first Monday and Tuesday in March will be all about

Still unsure?

Check out what you could be riding through the streets of London that day in celebration of discount deals in Egypt…just to give you an idea of the kind of good stuff we are talking about

We look forward to meeting you at the store in Covent Garden and sharing all the good stuff on offer.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

£10 hotel rooms on lastminute.com

Thursday 12 February at 10 am

Online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com is offering more than 3000 hotel rooms in the UK and Europe for just £10 on Thursday 12 February from 10 am.

lastminute.com is offering 2000 rooms at just £10 across the whole of the UK. Locations include seaside top spots such as Bournemouth, Brighton and Torquay and vibrant cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

More than 1300 rooms are also available for just £10 across Europe. Top cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Rome and Lisbon.

All hotels are either three or four star properties and the offer is available on selected dates up until April 2009.

To book, go to http://www.lastminute.com/site/deals/birthday/wigig.html NOW. The offer is available until stocks last as it is a When It’s Gone It’s Gone promotion.


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For further press information please contact Charlotte Wilmots on cwilmots@lastminute.com <mailto:cwilmots@lastminute.com> or call 020 7866 4272

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

50% off top name hotels with lastminute.com

6 February only

Leading online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com is offering 50% off on selected top name UK, US and European hotels.

lastminute.com customers can take advantage of the 50% off one day promotion on 6 February.

Top deals up for grabs include four star London hotels from £56.00 such as the Radisson SAS Portman, three star hotels in Edinburgh including the Capital hotel from as little as £30.00 and five star Barcelona hotels such as the ME Barcelona from just £85.00.

The offer is available on selected top name hotels across the UK and Europe and valid on stays on selected dates.

Click here for more details - http://www.lastminute.com/site/travel/hotels/

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For further information please contact Charlotte Wilmots on 0207 866 4272 or email cwilmots@lastminute.com

£10 spa days with treatments from lastminute.com

Thursday 5 February 10 am

When it is gone it is gone offer

Online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com is offering over 3000 spa days nationwide for just £10. To book one of these great offers customers need to visit www.lastminute.com from 10 am on Thursday 5 February.

lastminute.com customers will have the opportunity to purchase vouchers for spas across the country including:
- Bannatyne spas nationwide – offer includes elemis taster facial
- Spa day at Formby Hall in Liverpool with rasul treatment
- Pamper day at Atelier Salon in St Albans with treatment
- Spa day at Donnington Valley in Berkshire with treatment – dated availability
- Makeover photoshoot – nationwide locations
- Spa day pass at Portland Hall Spa in Southport

The offer is available until stocks last so when it is gone, it is gone.

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For further information please contact Charlotte Wilmots on 0207 866 4272 or email cwilmots@lastminute.com

Monday, February 2, 2009

lastminute.com’s Restaurant Week returns even bigger and better for its third year

London Restaurant Week expands to Birmingham and Manchester

- Bookings from 2 March 2009 -

Online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com is pleased to announce its popular Restaurant Week will take place not only in London but also in Manchester and Birmingham this year with bookings for the three cities starting on 2 March.

Based on the successful New York Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week gives visitors to lastminute.com the chance to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Last year in London over 100 restaurants took part including a variety of Michelin star establishments including Richard Corrigan’s Lindsay House, Almeida, Tamarind and Quilon. Over 27,000 covers were made during the two week period.

This year lastminute.com is expecting the participation of over 40 restaurants in Birmingham and Manchester and over 150 in London. Eateries already confirmed in the capital include Ď‹ber sophisticated Papillon, boutique Mews of Mayfair and newly open Grand at St Pancras as well as best sellers Quilon, Babylon at the Roof Gardens and 1 Lombard Street Brasserie. More exciting names are yet to be announced.

The event offers two course lunches for £15 and three course dinners for £25.

lastminute.com has partnered for the third year running with Capital 95.8’s Help a London Child and a percentage from each booking will be donated to the charity.

Customers will be given the opportunity to book their tables at participating restaurants on http://www.lastminute.com/ from 2 March for the chance to eat with the elite between 16 March and 28 March.

lastminute.com lifestyle sales director Mark Bower said: “We are thrilled to organise Restaurant Week in Manchester and Birmingham as well as London this year. We want as many of our customers as possible to enjoy our great deals. Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample fine dining at a fraction of the cost and these days when everyone is counting their pennies great value treats are more than necessary if you want to keep on having a busy social life. “
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For more information, please contact Hannah Shanks or email hshanks@lastminute.com or call 020 7866 4519