Main News

The new Marks and Spencer store in Rochdale

New Rochdale Riverside M&S store to open as planned as Monday 6 April

The new M&S Rochdale Riverside store will open as planned on Monday 6 April, the day after the existing Yorkshire Street store closes.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson leads call for free transport for NHS workers during national emergency

Chris Clarkson, the MP for Heywood and Middleton, has today (Friday 3 April) written to Andy Burnham, the Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester, urging him to facilitate an agreement...

Date Published 03/04/2020

Chase rainbows or go on a bear hunt this weekend

Residents up and down the country have been placing drawings or paintings of rainbows in their windows � or even�teddy bears � in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, providing...

Date Published 03/04/2020

Social distancing: do not travel to borough's beauty spots

Local residents are asked not to travel to beauty spots unless they are on your doorstep in the interest of social distancing, as the weather is expected to improve this weekend.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Millions processed in coronavirus fight as council works round the clock to keep businesses afloat

The council has processed over �10m of government grants in a matter of days, to help local businesses stay afloat during the current coronavirus crisis.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Community efforts to provide hot meals for key workers and those in need

Local charities and community groups have been ensuring front-line workers, the elderly and vulnerable, and the isolated have access to food, by delivering hot meals and food...

Date Published 03/04/2020

Neighbours rally round for 12-year-old girl's birthday

Neighbours on a Rochdale street helped make a 12-year-old�s birthday in isolation an extra-special occasion.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Boxes of frozen chicken dumped in two locations a mile apart

Over 60 boxes of frozen chicken have been dumped at two different locations in the Rochdale borough, as incidents of fly-tipping have increased.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Watch Rochdale Food & Drink Festival chef demonstrations live this weekend

Saturday�s Rochdale Food & Drink Festival may have been cancelled, but three of the chefs who were due to be cooking in the festival kitchen will be streaming their 40 minute...

Date Published 03/04/2020

Up to 200 Greater Manchester residents still stranded abroad by coronavirus travel restrictions, says mayor

Hundreds of Greater Manchester residents remain stranded abroad as tighter coronavirus-related travel restrictions continue to cause problems.

Date Published 03/04/2020

Rochdale Foodbank continues to supply people in need

Thanks to the efforts of a group of employees from Rochdale Council, Rochdale Foodbank is continuing to supply food parcels to residents in urgent need, from its base on South...

Date Published 03/04/2020

Local singer hosting live show online this weekend

A former X Factor contestant from Littleborough will be hosting a live show this Saturday on Facebook Live.

Date Published 02/04/2020

GMP looks to re-engage retired officers amidst coronavirus pandemic

Due to the current unprecedented situation and the impact of coronavirus on policing and the community, Greater Manchester Police is looking to re-engage retired police officers.

Date Published 02/04/2020

Region �stands ready� to help national coronavirus testing efforts

Greater Manchester �stands ready� to help ramp up testing for coronavirus in public services across the country, says mayor Andy Burnham.

Date Published 02/04/2020

Local MPs demand that the Government defines whether online retailers are essential industries

Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd and two other local MPs have written to Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with concerns about the safety of...

Date Published 02/04/2020

Council staff to be re-deployed in 'critical' coronavirus crisis roles

Local council staff are being re-deployed in �critical� roles during the coronavirus crisis.
Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered that public places should close to...

Date Published 02/04/2020

Autistic blogger shares university story for World Autism Awareness Day

An autistic blogger from Middleton is today sharing her university story, having recently completed her master�s degree, to mark World Autism Awareness Day (Thursday 2 April).

Date Published 02/04/2020

Free medical supplies for those in need

Free medical supplies for those in need are being distributed by charity workers from the Human Relief Foundation and Manchester Pharmacy in the form of the Covid-19 Emergency...

Date Published 02/04/2020

Hundreds of homeless people housed within a week of �5m coronavirus plan announcement

More than 500 homeless people in Greater Manchester�s have been placed in hotels in the week since a �5 million coronavirus emergency plan was announced.

Date Published 02/04/2020

What to do if you suspect businesses are breaching government guidance on closing

From restaurants and pubs to hair and beauty salons and barbers, as of 23 March 2020, a number of businesses have been ordered to close due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 02/04/2020

Lockdown DIY piling pressure on A&E depts

People doing �lockdown DIY� are piling added pressure on the NHS as a rise in home improvements gone wrong is sending more residents to A&E.

Date Published 01/04/2020

BMI Healthcare confirms private hospital staff who need to self-isolate will receive sick pay - after union voices concerns

Healthcare workers at the BMI Highfield Hospital in Rochdale will receive pay if they cannot work due to contracting coronavirus from a patient, the healthcare provider has...

Date Published 01/04/2020

Tesco announces �30million package of support for local communities

Tesco has today announced its COVID-19 Community Fund, a �30million package of support to help local communities tackling the Coronavirus outbreak, with �500 grants available for...

Date Published 01/04/2020

Coronavirus: guidance on access to green spaces

Guidance has been published by the government to help people stay well.

Date Published 01/04/2020

All inquests adjourned until September

All local inquests at the local Coroners� Court in Heywood have been adjourned until 1 September 2020.

Date Published 01/04/2020

PDS donated 200 bottles of hand sanitiser to frontline workers

Local business Performance Doorset Solutions (PDS) has donated over 200 bottles of hand sanitiser to key frontline workers.

Date Published 01/04/2020

Rochdale mosques helping the community with food packs

Two Rochdale mosques have raised over �3,000 and distributed 100 food packages over the last week.
UKIM Madina Mosque, Newbold, and UKIM Neeli Masjid, Deeplish, have raised over...

Date Published 01/04/2020

Rules on carrying over annual leave to be relaxed

Workers who have not taken all of their statutory annual leave entitlement due to coronavirus will now be able to carry it over into the next two leave years, under measures...

Date Published 01/04/2020

BMI Highfield Hospital to support NHS

BMI Healthcare, which operates Highfield Hospital in Rochdale, has agreed a formal partnership with NHS England to support the national effort to tackle coronavirus by offering...

Date Published 31/03/2020

New policing powers are now in force

The government has bought in a new health protection bill which contains new powers for the police to help manage the spread of the coronavirus.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Lottery win for Littleborough neighbours

Four�people in Littleborough are celebrating today after winning �1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode.

Date Published 31/03/2020

UK pledges �544 million to find coronavirus vaccine

The UK government has pledged an additional �210 million of support to accelerate work to find a coronavirus vaccine, in an announcement following a virtual summit of G20 leaders.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Local residents share images of their government food packages

Recipients of government food boxes have been in touch with Rochdale Online, sharing their photos of the packages received.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Flush warning for loo roll alternatives

Shoppers looking for loo roll alternatives during the coronavirus situation are being warned to think twice before flushing them away after use.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Local councillors write to JD Sports with concerns about conditions for staff in Rochdale warehouse

Local councillor John Blundell, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills and Employment and his colleagues in Smallbridge & Firgrove ward and Kingsway ward (Councillor...

Date Published 31/03/2020

Local DJ raises �16k during 24 hour online party

Local DJ Zac Caulcutt hosted a 24-hour livestream over the weekend to raise funds for the elderly and vulnerable in Milnrow and Newhey during the current pandemic.
Over 63,000...

Date Published 30/03/2020

Community hubs set up to support most vulnerable in coronavirus fight

Four new hubs have been set up across Rochdale to support the most vulnerable members of the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Coronavirus: the local companies offering takeaway and delivery services

Last updated 5pm Saturday 28 March. As the country goes into self-isolation, Rochdale Online has rounded up which local businesses are offering delivery and takeaway services to...

Date Published 23/03/2020

First coronavirus food parcels for most vulnerable leave a bad taste in the mouth

The council is taking steps to improve the quality of the government food parcels for people most at risk from coronavirus after the first batch arrived in the borough.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Rochdale teaching assistant reads story she wrote to help children understand social distancing

Rochdale teaching assistant Miranda Webber has written a story to help children understand social distancing.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online

Specialist units across government are working at pace to combat false and misleading narratives about coronavirus, ensuring the public has the right information to protect...

Date Published 30/03/2020

Prime Minister will write to nation with coronavirus guidance

The Prime Minister will write to every UK household to urge them to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
A letter from the Prime Minister will land on the doorsteps of...

Date Published 30/03/2020

16-year-old stabbed during robbery in Middleton

Police are appealing to the public for information after two teenage boys were robbed on Sedgley Street on the evening of Sunday 22 March 2020.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Government advice issued on apprenticeships

As part of the cross-government efforts to respond to the impact of coronavirus, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is implementing new measures, for the duration of...

Date Published 29/03/2020

Local hairdressing academy wins prestigious award

A Rochdale hairdressing academy has won the Training Academy of the Year Award at the recent English Hair and Beauty Awards.
Over 600 businesses from across the UK attended the...

Date Published 29/03/2020

Hopwood Hall students publish fitness videos

Hopwood Hall College is releasing daily student workout videos in order to promote the continued health and wellbeing of their learners during the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 29/03/2020

Watch out for wildlife

People feeling isolated, trapped in their homes by the coronavirus, can join a community which will benefit wildlife now and for future generations.

Date Published 29/03/2020

Clocks go forward tomorrow

Don�t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour tomorrow (Sunday 29�March).
The change will officially take place at 1.00am so it is advised that you change your clocks...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Rochdale woman is face of national ovarian cancer campaign

A Rochdale woman is raising awareness of ovarian cancer this March as part of Target Ovarian Cancer�s national campaign � �It�s time to TAKE OVAR�.
March is Ovarian Cancer...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Dance teacher spreads sunny gifts to students

A local dance teacher has spread some joy by gifting her students an unusual present whilst her dance studio is closed.
In an unusual act, Gemma Singleton, principal of...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Specsavers to stay open for essential care

The Rochdale town centre Specsavers store has suspended all routine sight testing for the foreseeable future to focus on essential and urgent care only.

Date Published 28/03/2020

Coronavirus: blood donors needed more than ever

Blood donors are being urged continue giving blood during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you have checked the coronavirus advice and are able to donate, there is no reason to...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Subway surprise staff at Rochdale Infirmary

Staff at Rochdale Infirmary were left pleasantly surprised on Monday night (23 March) as the local Subway donated footlong sandwiches and boxes of salads for all the nurses,...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Thieves break window of pharmacist�s car to steal hand gel

A GP has slammed �selfish� thieves who smashed a health worker�s car window forcing them to miss work � all to steal one bottle of hand sanitiser.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Rochdale residents may not have to pay council tax until July

A number of councils across Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, are preparing to defer their tax bill for the 2020/21 year until this summer to help residents struggling with...

Date Published 27/03/2020

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