Use our interactive widget to fill your car for less

The cheapest place to fill up your car with petrol in Greater Manchester today (22 May) is at a Costco Wholesale garage in Oldham.

According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £8 by filling up at this forecourt – compared to the most expensive petrol station.

The Costco Wholesale garage at The Broadway in Chadderton is charging motorists 148.9p per litre, which means it would cost £97 to fill up an average 55 litre tank. This is based on a feed of live petrol prices which is published by the government.

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Here are the cheapest places to top your car with petrol today:

• 148.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 149.7p – Asda, Atherleigh Way, Leigh, WN7 5RZ
• 149.9p – Sainsbury’s, Trinity Street, Bolton, BL3 6DH
• 150.7p – Asda, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 7PF
• 150.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 150.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 150.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 151.7p – Asda, 43-53 The Linkway, Horwich, BL6 6JA
• 151.9p – Tesco, Victoria Ave E, Manchester, M9 6HP
• 151.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ

The most expensive filling station in Greater Manchester is a Esso station at 172-6 Buxton Road in Stockport. The cost of standard petrol at this station is 165.9p, meaning it would cost a total of £106 to fill up an average family car at this forecourt.

For the owners of diesel cars, the cheapest place to fill up is the Valero garage on Caroline Street in Stalybridge. The cost of a litre of standard diesel at this forecourt is 176.9p, according to prices supplied by retailers.

Here are the cheapest places to fill up your car with standard diesel today:

• 176.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 176.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 177.9p – Sainsbury’s, Trinity Street, Bolton, BL3 6DH
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ
• 177.9p – Tesco, Central Park, Wigan, WN1 1XE
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Mottram Road, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2NG
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Foundry Street, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, SK16 5PJ
• 177.9p – Morrisons, Black Horse Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1PQ

You can use our interactive widget to find out the price of fuel at the petrol stations near you.

UK drivers are currently paying 159.5p per litre of petrol, while people who own diesel vehicles are paying 187.3p on average.

In Greater Manchester, owners of petrol cars are currently being charged 3.2p less than the national average of 159.5p. Diesel car drivers in the region are paying 3.9p less than the national average.

The cheapest place to buy petrol in the country is at a Costco Wholesale garage in Leeds, where a litre of standard petrol is 147.9p. The most expensive petrol station in the country is a Steisean Connaidh Chrosabol garage in Crossapol, Scotland, where motorists are charged 204.0p a litre.

The prices quoted are for standard grade petrol (E10) and for standard grade diesel (B7).

The figures are supplied by the major retailers under a scheme operated by the government to ensure motorists are given a fair deal at the petrol pumps.

Looking to save on your gardening essentials with a verified Crocus discount code? We’ve tested the latest Crocus promo codes for May 2026, including 15 per cent off full-priced plants, 10 per cent off first orders and savings of up to 50 per cent in the clearance sale. Whether you’re shopping for shrubs, bedding plants or garden furniture, these are the best Crocus offers available right now.

Our deals team tests Crocus discount codes regularly throughout the week to remove expired offers quickly.

There are several evergreen Crocus discount codes available; however, 15 per cent off full-price items currently offers the best value. The only caveat is that you can’t use it on sale products.

Best for:

Excludes:

This code can be used across a wide range of plants and garden essentials, including seasonal bedding plants, dahlias, peonies, climbing plants and shrubs. For larger garden refreshes, Crocus’s multi-buy offers on perennials and grasses can sometimes work out cheaper than adding a discount code.

Crocus promo code for new customers

If you’ve not shopped online at Crocus before, you can take 10 per cent off your very first order. It is worth noting that this code will only work on full-priced products and plants, meaning you can’t use it on top of already discounted prices.

Check the offers page

For more savings, take a look at the offers page, where you can quickly view every sale split into helpful categories. The time you save on having to sift through items you’re not interested in can be spent cracking on with planting.

Crocus sales and seasonal discounts

While scrolling through the deals, we were impressed with some of the discounts on big-ticket garden appliances and furniture. With 20 per cent off selected outdoor dining and lounge sets, as well as fire pits and cooking implements, imagine how impressed your guests will be when they rock up to your garden for a barbecue or outdoor gathering.

Those looking to grow their own produce will also be pleased to see that Crocus is slicing up to 40 per cent off the price of vegetables, as well as offers on trees, such as fruit trees and blossom trees, wildflowers and bare root plants.

Each month, you can expect to see new seasonal discounts, which will help you transform your garden into your very own paradise for less. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for flash sales and promotions, that may offer you an extra 10-15 per cent off site-wide.

How do I use a Crocus discount code?

Once you’ve selected the Crocus voucher code you want to apply, simply head to your basket and proceed to checkout. On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see your order summary, along with a drop-down labelled “Add promo code” – here’s is where you can apply your code. Once you hit “apply”, your order total will adjust automatically to reflect your discount.

Why isn’t my Crocus promo code working?

All the discount codes and offers on our Crocus deals page are hand-tested and verified by our in-house team. If you find that your code is invalid, it’s likely that your order doesn’t meet the criteria of the offer. Things to look out for in the terms and conditions are:

Does Crocus offer a student discount?

There are no Crocus student discounts right now, but you can still take advantage of the other promo codes on the page, including 15 per cent off full-priced products or 10 per cent off first orders.

Is there a Crocus NHS discount?

Crocus is not offering any NHS discounts at the moment. As soon as any health service staff promotions become available, they will be listed on this page and tested regularly by our dedicated deals team.

Does Crocus offer free delivery?

No, free delivery doesn’t come as standard with Crocus orders. Shipping fees start from £2.99 and vary depending on the type of item you are ordering.

Can you use more than one Crocus discount code?

You can only use one Crocus promo code at a time, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for codes that are valid on sale items, to maximise your savings.

When does Crocus have sales?

Crocus almost always has a sale running, typically on seasonal plants or multi-buy offers. You can also expect bigger discounts during sales events such as Black Friday and the January sales – last year, customers got 20 per cent off site-wide.

To bring you the best discount codes across our carefully selected lineup of shops, we have a team of consumer experts who are always on the lookout for the best offers. From tech and beauty to home appliances and outdoor gear, we’d recommend bookmarking our dedicated deals page to get the latest and best money-saving discount codes. We only ever highlight offers from trusted retailers and brands.

The Independent has been a trusted consumer champion since 1986, reporting on behalf of our readers to find the best deals and discounts. Whether it’s gardening essentials, regular deals coverage or helping you source the top offers during some of the biggest annual shopping events (think Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the Boxing Day sales), our team are always looking out for the best ways to save you money on the products worth buying. We only ever select offers on the brands and retailers that we trust.

For more discount codes and saving tips, head to our dedicated deals section

Coronation Street’s Beth Nixon is set to leave the ITV soap later this year.

The actress, who is 26, made her arrival as Megan Walsh towards the end of 2025. She was introduced as Will Driscoll’s (Lucas Hodgson-Wale) sports coach, but it was eventually confirmed that this role was to cover up something incredibly sinister.

Viewers discovered that Megan was sexually abusing Will, and manipulating him into thinking they were in a relationship. The ordeal went unnoticed for months, but a young Weatherfield resident eventually worked out what was going on between them.

Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) had found a sports top among Megan’s belongings. She claimed it belonged to Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), but Sam knew this wasn’t true. Certain that Megan was abusing Will, he vowed to expose her, but it became nigh-on impossible due to the awful tactics Megan implemented to keep Sam quiet.

Sam’s mental health was severely impacted as a result of Megan’s manipulation. His stress levels got so bad, he collapsed on the cobbles and was rushed to hospital.

He told Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) about who Megan really was, leading to the Driscoll family also learning the truth.

Megan wasn’t charged straight away due to the fact the police couldn’t find any physical evidence that proved something went on between her and Will, and because the teenager was also in denial.

Things changed a couple of weeks ago though, when Will had a powerful conversation with Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine). The local cab driver told Will that he was sexually abused by an older woman when he was 14, and the shared experience prompted Will to report Megan.

With Megan being a villain of the show, she was always going to have a shelf life.

According to The Sun, actress Beth is set to film her final scenes soon, which will air later this year.

Metro has contacted Coronation Street for a comment.

Producer of the show Kate Brooks recently spoke about this storyline, stating that Megan will definitely face some sort of consequence for her actions.

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She explained: ‘Obviously, there are soap Gods, and as in soap God’s law, there’ll be some kind of retribution for Megan. She cannot get off of this scot-free. We will go down the proper channels. Whether it goes on to plan or not, I cannot say, but it goes down quite a very big path.’

‘It’s showcasing that, Megan’s actions have not just directly impacted Will and the Driscolls, Sam’s also collateral damage. People’s trust has been absolutely dismantled because of this woman’s perpetual lie,’ Kate said about the lingering effects of Megan’s reign of terror.

Speaking on the future of the Driscoll clan, Kate added: ‘It’s about the family falling apart, but then kind of building themselves back up again as they try desperately to kind of repair the damage that Megan’s done.

‘Will will be quite badly affected by what he’s been through with Megan. It does go a bit dark.’

MORE: Tracy unearths yet another Coronation Street murder suspect and Todd kicks off

MORE: EastEnders and TV legend Michael Keating dies aged 79

MORE: Daniel’s dark side explodes on Coronation Street as he vows to kill two characters

Simon Pearson underwent 42 gruelling procedures before the mistake was uncovered

A father suffered seven years of “unnecessary” and punishing treatment after blundering doctors wrongly diagnosed him with terminal cancer. Simon Pearson, 41, was repeatedly treated after doctors told him his severe fatigue was a sign of a rare and incurable illness.

He was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera, a slow-growing blood cancer, after being referred to George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton with elevated red blood cell counts and abnormal iron levels. He was also told he was suffering from haemochromatosis, a genetic condition that can cause organ damage through toxic iron build-up in the body.

Believing he had fatal cancer, Simon – who has a phobia of needles – endured 42 injections to remove blood from his body. It was only more than seven years later, during a routine appointment last June, that a nurse flagged concerns. Tests subsequently confirmed he had none of the conditions.

Simon has now launched legal action with medical negligence solicitors Irwin Mitchell after the Trust admitted a breach of duty. It acknowledged that appropriate care could have prevented 42 procedures carried out between 2017 and 2025.

The business director is now seeking support to address the psychological impact as well as losses including earnings and increased insurance costs.

A separate patient safety investigation found he was “subjected to clinical practice that has caused harm” and uncovered no medical evidence to support the diagnoses. Simon, who lives with his wife Rachel, 41, and their sons Alfie, 19, and Freddie, 16, says he was left “terrified” he would die.

READ MORE: ‘I had to perform CPR on my baby in Tesco after he had a seizure’READ MORE: Mum ‘loses everything in 15 minutes’ after son’s e-bike battery fire

He said: “For years I was in and out of hospital, believing I had a condition that could eventually kill me – sometimes lying awake all night, terrified.

“There was also the fear that it was genetic and something I could pass on to my children. I felt so guilty and constantly worried about their future.

“I had no reason to dispute anything that I was told and put my trust in the doctors. Then to be suddenly told I may not have any of the conditions came as a complete shock. I keep asking myself how could this have gone on for so long? I still can’t quite believe how care I didn’t need went on for so long.

“Throughout that time I suffered from side effects including headaches and fatigue. My quality of life and ability to work were affected, and I struggled to provide for my family. I’m still struggling to come to terms with the fact it was all a mistake. At times, it feels like I’ve lost my sense of reality. I’ve always had a real phobia of needles, so repeatedly having blood taken from me was traumatic.

“I want to share my story to raise awareness in the hope that something is done to improve care standards. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I’ve been through.” His solicitor, Victoria Zinzan, said: “Simon spent years believing he was living with a serious and potentially life-limiting illness, undergoing repeated and inappropriate hospital procedures, which caused him harm.

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“The past few years have taken a significant financial, physical and emotional toll on Simon who remains shocked and upset at what he’s had to endure. Although nothing can make up for what he’s been through, we welcome the Hospital Trust’s early admission of liability and are now working with the Trust to ensure Simon has access to the support he requires to try and move forward with his life.

“However, worrying failings have been identified in Simon’s care and it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.”

The hospital has since issued a formal apology to Simon, confirming that steps have been put in place to prevent a similar misdiagnosis from occurring in future. Dr Naj Rashid, chief medical officer for George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, said: “I would like to offer our sincere apologies to Mr Pearson for the failings in the care he received from us.

“Mr Pearson’s care had undoubtedly fallen below our usually high standards and caused significant distress to him. We are working with him to ensure he has our full support going forward.

“The Trust has carried out a thorough investigation into what went wrong and have put in place actions to address issues identified to ensure this is not able to happen again.”

Many people are migrating within countries across south Asia to cope with extreme weather. In Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, people often move from rural homes to urban metropolises when their homes and livelihoods become damaged or threatened by cyclones and storms, floods and droughts.

Most previous research has focused on migration of men who move to seek employment and how that affects the women and families they leave behind. But many women also move as a result of climate-related extreme weather.

Migrant households take many forms. My team’s research involved collecting data both through surveys and interviews with close to 1,200 households across these countries. Our work reveals a complex picture.

In India, Nepal and Bangladesh, women tend to be more involved in farming and livestock care. Men migrate to cities to work in construction or factories, often returning home for annual visits, or more often if they are closer to home.

“My husband has been away for many years,” 35-year-old Bagyalata, who lives in Odisha, a state in eastern India, told us. “I am busy with cattle and other farm work throughout the day but am also responsible for the children. Whenever there is any problem, the teachers ask me to come.”

But in Bhutan, it’s more common for women to move away to find work, either on their own or with their families. As one 45-year-old man describes: “My wife lives and works in Thimphu. As the eldest son, I returned to the village to look after my parents and disabled brother. Our family relies on income from oranges, but this has been declining due to irregular rainfall and new [crop] pests.”

Bhutan and Nepal are both mountainous areas prone to floods and landslides. Water collection has traditionally been a woman’s task. But piped water systems provided by the state have made water supplies more reliable and accessible. That said, other domestic and care tasks such as cooking, childcare and care of older relatives continue to remain the responsibility of women. This leaves them with little time for other activities. One woman, Darji, in Nepal told us, “I could do tailoring, but with caring for the family and animals, I don’t have any time”.

Who controls the assets?

Despite contributing more to the workforce, women in Bangladesh, India and Nepal still don’t have much control over assets (land ownership and family finances). They don’t get much say in terms of political leadership either.

In Indrawati, a rural region in Nepal, one woman living with her two children told us: “Although my mother-in-law permits me to use the land to farm vegetables, I must give her half the harvest.” Access to land continues to be mediated through family and kinship structures.

In Bhutan, matrilineal inheritance or the inheritance of land through the female line (from mother to daughter) means that women own more land, especially in non-migrant and couple-migrant households.

It is only when women migrate that they start to have control over the income they earn and investments they make. This can strengthen the decision-making position of other women who remain, as households reorganise around women’s contributions, both in terms of money and social support.

One 40-year-old widow in Odisha, India, had multiple jobs in order to support her four children. She farmed millets and turmeric plus she collected firewood in the forest and foraged for seasonal foods such as mushrooms. Her oldest daughter moved to a coastal town to work in a fish factory.

The widow told us: “She wanted to go … there was no money at home. She said she will make extra to help us.” Payments from her oldest daughter provide financial support for the family. That extra money also enables her to make somewhat risky financial decisions including shifting to a cash crop, cashew in this case. Cashews are subject to both price fluctuations and climatic variability, but they can lead to more profit, so she hopes this risk will pay off in the long term.

Reconfiguring the norm

Climate pressures deepen some existing gendered and intergenerational inequalities. For example, extreme weather can increase women’s work burdens without necessarily improving their asset ownership, financial control or community leadership.

But our research shows how climate pressures have complex influences on migration and adaptation. Climate migration can lead to a renegotiation of household relationships – this depends on who moves and who stays. Other factors include the material conditions and resources available to the household, the social dynamics and support, as well as gender norms around roles, responsibilities and expectations.

In Nepal, we see overall a movement towards building more reciprocal relationships. This enables parents to contribute jointly to their future and help build a more stable future for their children. As Diya Gurung from Nepal confidently told us, “How can a husband decide without consulting his wife, or vice versa?”

Bhutan reflects a continuation of cultural advantages in terms of economic and social equity, though this is being disrupted somewhat by migration. There is currently an emphasis on building unity and community cohesion in rural areas, witnessing rapid depopulation. In India and Bangladesh, women are taking on greater responsibility to manage farms, handle finances and participate in agricultural cooperatives or savings groups, often without control or leadership.

Fair wages and working conditions are key. But beyond that, climate migration is changing the gendered responsibilities for care at home and at work within families. It also affects who owns and controls finances and land, and it influences how households make decisions. To support families as the dynamics change, it’s important to strengthen women’s land rights, improve access to financial services and support collective institutions that enable meaningful participation and leadership.

African countries that were first to roll out a breakthrough malaria vaccine have seen a “significant reduction” in child deaths, a landmark report found this week. 

Malaria kills around 600,000 people annually, most of them in Africa, and most of them children. However, the RTS,S malaria jab, which performed well in clinical trials, is now having a positive impact on the ground, the research showed.  

Published in the Lancet health journal, the study observed infant mortality rates over four years in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi after they introduced malaria vaccinations for children. One in eight child deaths, it noted, had been avoided in the countries since the jab was rolled out. 

Twenty-five African countries now offer malaria vaccinations to children. Researchers expect similar results, or better, in countries that took up the vaccine more recently. Other vaccines are in development.   

“This is very solid evidence of the potential for malaria vaccines to change the trajectory of child mortality in Africa,” said the World Health Organization’s Dr Kate O’Brien, co-author of the evaluation. 

Challenges remain, however. “More financing is needed so that countries can purchase enough vaccine, along with other malaria prevention tools, to reach all the kids most at risk,” she said.

Image: Annie Spratt

Martin O’Neill has been on the receiving end of abusive calls and messages

Martin O’Neill has disclosed that he was compelled to change his mobile phone number following a torrent of abusive messages during the end-of-season chaos in Scotland.

The Hoops manager also responded to Tony Bloom’s assertions that Hearts players were attacked during the Parkhead pitch invasion last week – describing the Jambos chief’s comments as ‘irresponsible’. O’Neill is preparing for Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final clash with Dunfermline.

However, he finds himself dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s Premiership decider, having faced criticism from a Hearts statement for appearing to minimise the pitch incursion and the abrupt conclusion to the dramatic encounter.

O’Neill has also endured a personal bombardment following the contentious win at Motherwell which led to the final day showdown, reports the Daily Record.

He said: “I’ve changed my telephone number because it was circulated around. You want to hear some of the comments on those.

“That was from the Wednesday night. I had to change it.

“It’s not a problem but I’ve had it for 35 years and it was kind of part of me at the end of the day.

“It got circulated somewhere, but they are on tape. It was messages, texts, everything.

“That was before the game. I decided on Friday I needed to change it to concentrate on the game on Saturday.

“I might put it back again just to listen to the messages.

“I haven’t contact the police yet but I may do.

“There were only about 250 calls!”

O’Neill hit back at Hearts following Bloom’s assertion on national radio that one or two Jambos players had been subjected to attacks.

The Celtic manager stated: “I heard Tony Bloom saying that there were two players assaulted.

“It’s not true – if it is, it hasn’t been proven yet.

“I’ve watched the pictures back, and I think one of their players actually snaps a phone away from a lad and stamps on it.

“But that’s besides the point, I can understand that.

“What was remarkable about it was, pitch invasion or not, do you know how took to clear the pitch invasion? Two minutes and 50 seconds.

“For someone to say, without proof at this moment, that the players were assaulted, I think that’s irresponsible.

“If it is proved that those players had been assaulted, that’s not on.

“That’s an offence at the end of the day. I think if it’s the case, and it is proved that they’ve been hit, it would be more than an apology from us.

“If that’s the case, it’s not on. It’s not on at all.”

The Scottish FA released audio evidence on Thursday confirming Hearts manager Derek McInnes consented to ending the match.

O’Neill believes there has been heightened criticism directed at Celtic due to the club destroying Hearts’ romantic title aspirations.

He commented: “What has happened is that people have taken out the emotion of the game.

“I didn’t know what Hearts’ argument was at the end of the day.

“Because the pitch invasion had taken place? Had the game finished or not? Were we going to go back and play the last 15 seconds if that was the case?

“I also didn’t know it was the rules that the referee, Don Robertson, doesn’t have to blow a whistle to finish the game, as was proved at Leverkusen. Because Leverkusen scored another goal to put it beyond them and to win the game.

“There have been pitch invasions here in this country. There was one at Kilmarnock when Derek (McInnes) was on the pitch at the time.

“If pitch invasions are going to be universally blocked, fine. And if it’s a criminal offence to go onto the pitch, that’s something else. I’m not sure in the euphoria.

“I don’t know this for certain, but if the situation had been reversed and happened at Hearts, I think there wouldn’t have been the clamour that there has been here.

“I do agree with the football club in apologising for the Hearts players not getting the opportunity to acknowledge their own fans and for their fans to show their appreciation for their efforts.

“Regardless of all of this, Hearts’ participation has made it a season to remember.”

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Indie sleaze is back, but not as you remember it. The 00s scene’s revival taps into a growing backlash against hyper-polished influencer culture, offering a messier, more authentic alternative that feels both nostalgic and deliberately staged.

The original indie sleaze look of the 2000s was an intentionally unrefined way of dressing, driven by a desire to stand apart from mainstream fashion, with a carefully constructed sense of effortless cool.

The look was built from a recognisable set of clothing and styling details.

Black or acid-wash skinny jeans were central, paired with vintage T-shirts featuring band logos or bold graphics. Leather biker jackets reflected indie and punk influences, while sheer tights, often with rips or ladders, were styled with body-con dresses and oversized knits worn over mini-skirts. Footwear reinforced the relaxed, undone feel with worn-in Dr Martens, Converse and ballet flats completing the look.

Culturally, the trend was rooted in the indie music scenes and nightlife cultures of cities like London and New York. Bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and Yeah Yeah Yeahs influenced the style by popularising a deliberately dishevelled, off-duty look that blurred the line between stage wear and everyday dress.

The style was also worn by well known models such as Kate Moss and it girl Alexa Chung. These women brought the look to a wider audience, as they captured its mix of nonchalance and effortless styling in front of the camera and across early digital media.

No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

Read more from Quarter Life:

The origin of indie sleaze

Indie sleaze emerged just before social media became fully embedded in everyday life. While early platforms like Tumblr played a role in circulating party photography and candid, flash-heavy imagery, the moment still felt more spontaneous and less controlled. It was a time before style was divided into “aesthetics” and “cores”, when young people dressed a certain way because they were part of a scene, not because they had discovered a neatly packaged, shoppable trend online.

As such, the original indie sleaze sat at a transitional moment, where subculture, style and digital self-presentation began to merge, but had not yet become fully commodified.

The indie sleaze revival taps into a desire for something that feels raw, imperfect and less controlled, in contrast to today’s hyper-curated digital environment. What makes indie sleaze appealing to a new generation is perhaps not simply how it looked, but what it allowed – messiness, excess, emotional openness and a rejection of constant self-improvement.

But there’s a contradiction. The original indie sleaze was socially driven, shaped by nightlife and real-world scenes, whereas the 2026 version exists within a culture that is far more curated. In many ways, the “sleaze” is missing. What remains is a stylised version of messiness.

The current revival grows out of the Y2K trend (a revival of early 2000s fashion and aesthetics), but it’s best understood as a reaction or mutation of it rather than a continuation. The initial Y2K revival (late 2010s into early 2020s) was glossy and hyper-feminine, reintroducing early‑2000s silhouettes like low‑rise jeans, micro bags, butterflies, neon and logo culture.

Indie sleaze draws on a similar era, but strips away the polish. Where Y2K is shiny, indie sleaze is grimy. Where Y2K is cute and curated-for-pretty, indie sleaze is curated-for-attitude. This is where the looks overlap. Neon carries over but is used abrasively rather than playfully. Ballet flats reappear but styled with sheer tights and dark makeup rather than the sweet and girly aesthetic from before. The low-effort silhouettes remain but are framed as emotional and anti-glam rather than flirty.

Culturally, there remains a strong link to both a musical and digitally social narrative. Take for example the song Messy, by Lola Young. Not only does the artist herself confirm to the semiotic iconography of the look with her unprettified dark, smudged makeup, heavy boots, leather, denim and oversized silhouettes, but the song itself communicates a message of messiness. Not in a chaotic party sense, but in its emotional exposure.

Lyrically the song explores themes of rejecting polite femininity; she’s too loud, too emotional, too much and she’s not interested in fixing that. That attitude translates into what indie sleaze represents today. The refusal of optimisation, acceptance of visible flaws and leaning into excess rather than managing it away.

The resurgence also reflects how we now engage with the past through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where cultural moments are converted into digestible visual codes. Indie sleaze is no longer a subculture but an archive of recognisable signs: smudged makeup, flash photography, slip dresses, battered leather. These reference points are easy to remix and circulate, making the trend especially suited to algorithmic spaces and inseparable from digital culture, even as it romanticises pre-digital freedoms.