Being a #MorrisonsMum

At the end of April, just as I had started back at work after a glorious 10 months off on Maternity Leave, a very welcome letter arrived through the post. I had been picked to be a 'MorrisonsMum'! 

Firstly, thank you very much to Brit Mums and Morrisons for running this campaign. I know quite a few people were picked, but it really came in handy not only at the tail end of my Maternity Leave (tight budget) but also has given me the kick up the arse I needed to get this blog back on the go. I have so many ideas, and posts that I know at least my family will want to read, that I WILL translate onto paper/ the web/ Team Sainsbury. Bring it.

So, for those of you who are wondering 'What's a MorrisonsMum?!'; I received £80 worth of vouchers to go and try out the Morrisons experience for the May Bank Holiday as they have just launched the start to a cheaper Morrisons. They've cut their prices across the store on the regular, every day stuff you genuinely need... as well as those scrummy biscuits you don't! And it's not for a limited time either, those prices are here to stay; but at the same time, the quality isn't being compromised. And that's where I come in. If you want to learn more about this campaign, please click here.

I had never shopped at Morrisons before, mainly because the nearest one to our house is 15.3 miles away and they don't deliver to us, yet. Although I was obviously aware of them - they have had some great TV ads (Richard Hammond pushing a shopping trolley through the countryside, Take That's 'Shine' in the background, Ant & Dec at Christmas) and I don't live under a rock. We normally do our shop online at Sainsbury's (no unfortunately we are not related, damn it) and then top up all of the fresh stuff as we go throughout the month. I plan our meals on roughly a fortnightly basis, with room for kind offers from the Grandparents to come to their houses for dinner instead. Thank youuu, love youuu! So, after a meal at one set of the Grandparents' houses on the Friday evening of the bank holiday weekend, off I went to Morrisons - woohoo. 

It was quite late, around 20:15, and they shut at 22:00. It was quiet, probably because most normal people were out on the town, my Mother included. The first thing that hit me was the lovely way they display their fresh fruit, veg and herbs. A lot of it were in these cabinets which jetted out mists of icy cool water to keep the produce fresh, the little things eh? Once I was over ooohing and aaahing at the mist, I noticed the vast range of fresh products available. They even had plantain which had unfortunately all gone by the time I got there but there were also so many things I hadn't even heard of!

 

See, pretty right?

I then ventured across to the deli and fishmonger, both of whom had the best customer service I have experienced in a long time. And it was gone 8pm at night. And it was quiet so can't have been the most fun part of their shift. I decided to become a bit of a secret shopper, as I didn't exactly need anything from either of them, but as I had received these glorious vouchers I thought why the hell not? This Bank Holiday weekend for us was all about picnics as we had a couple of trips planned. So naturally I picked up some Billy Bears for the babes and some yummy ham for us. Jeanette was very happy and friendly, and even spotted that a piece of the ham was starting to look a bit dry and without prompting swapped it for a fresher piece. It is little things like that which make you want to return. Next up, Nathan the Fishmonger was quizzed by me. I'm not very adventurous with fish, usually sticking to salmon, so I asked him to recommend me something not too hard to cook and nothing that couldn't wink or smile at me! So I came away with some monkfish and haddock. He also told me how to cook the fish and what to season them with. I told them what I was up to after they had both served me and they even agreed to have their picture taken. So here they are, wahey!

If any member of the HR/ Management Team at Morrisons read this, they should definitely receive some sort of bonus/ employee of the week award. Nathan and Jeanette of the Totton (Southampton) store, thanks!

After all of that excitement, I went about and did my normal shop. There were some really good deals including the two pictured below. It was very difficult not to be distracted by the Nutmeg range of childrens clothes but I did it! 

As mentioned above, our bank holiday was very busy taking the kids to Finkley Down Farm and Chessington therefore the picnic bag was out and in action. Lots of treats were packed including a variety of fruits, chocolate yummies and lush sandwiches. Even if I do say so myself. We had a great weekend, and our tummies thank Morrisons as otherwise we would have just had the same old, same old. 

The question is, will I return again? Probably. I won't be doing our regular shop there as although it is an exciting experience as far as food shops go and the prices are fab, it is just too far to travel. However, I have heard on the grapevine that a Morrisons is due to open in Hedge End (which is where we live for those of you not in the know) on the old Wickes site. If this is the case, it will be my place to shop. 

Thanks again to Brit Mums and Morrisons, Team S xx

Disclosure:
I received £80 in vouchers for the purpose of this review and the opinions are entirely my own.