Main News

CGI of Castleton development for 445 homes at Cowm Top

Decision delayed on 445-home estate in Castleton

The decision on whether 445 new homes can be built in Castleton has been delayed over health and safety concerns. A plan has been tabled by developers, GLP Trows LLP and BDW Trading Ltd, to create ‘high quality family housing’ off Cowm Top Lane. The site, also known as ‘Trows Farm’, lies to the south of Cowm Top Business Park, close to the M62.

Date Published 31/01/2025


Pupils launch Eco Mart to cut down on single-use plastics

Pupils of Marland Hill Community Primary School have launched an Eco Mart to help encourage local parents and teachers to reduce buying single-use plastics. 
The shop, which...

Date Published 01/02/2025

Toad Lane Concerts: Sam Rodwell

The prospect of a classical acoustic guitar playing in the enormous space of St Mary in the Baum might worry some people. However, with the opening phrases of a lively arrangement...

Date Published 01/02/2025


Rochdale Wedding Show returns

Rochdale Wedding Show returns to Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday 2 March and preparation is well underway. Organisers Rochdale Borough Council are planning a big line-up, bringing...

Date Published 01/02/2025

Jury discharged in Rochdale child exploitation trial

A jury in the trial of eight men accused of historical child sexual exploitation in Rochdale has been discharged for legal reasons. The defendants, who include four men from...

Date Published 31/01/2025


New golf clubhouse and a new housing estate approved, despite wildlife concerns

A golf club in Middleton is set to get a new clubhouse and build 56 homes where the old one currently stands. North Manchester Golf Club has been given permission to bulldoze its...

Date Published 31/01/2025

King notes Rochdale's rich history in interaction with MP

Rochdale’s MP, Paul Waugh brought a moment of humour to Buckingham Palace this week when he jokingly asked King Charles III if he shops at the Co-op. The King laughed at the...

Date Published 31/01/2025


Rochdale’s Fabdance Centre triumphs at national championships

Rochdale’s Fabdance Centre has secured three championship titles at the Gulliver’s Championships in Rotherham, marking a successful start to their competition season. Thirteen...

Date Published 31/01/2025

Tesco customers praised for bringing joy to children at Christmas

Kind-hearted shoppers in Rochdale and Middleton have been thanked for contributing to the 125,000 toys donated to children in need during the run-up to Christmas.

Date Published 31/01/2025


Rochdale charity Uniform For All launches new website to support local families

A Rochdale-based charity dedicated to providing free school uniforms to families in need is set to launch a newly redesigned website. Uniform For All has announced that its...

Date Published 30/01/2025

Police urge residents to assist with CCTV footage

Residents of Rochdale are being urged to support Greater Manchester Police by sharing their CCTV footage to help officers solve crimes more efficiently.
GMP has highlighted the...

Date Published 30/01/2025


Full list of Bee Network bus and Metrolink tram tickets after fare shake-up is announced

Bee Network bus and Metrolink tram tickets are in for a shake-up from March as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bosses confirmed the launch of new ‘multi-modal’ passes. The...

Date Published 30/01/2025

Hospital raises over £2,000 for homelessness charity Petrus

Petrus, a homelessness charity with over 50 years of experience supporting vulnerable individuals in Rochdale, Oldham, and Burnley, is celebrating a generous donation of £2,728.12...

Date Published 30/01/2025


An idea to change an empty 160-year-old pub has been refused

The plan to turn a 19th century pub into flats has been refused by the council.
The Royds Arms sits within a conservation area of Rochdale and has been vacant for more than a...

Date Published 29/01/2025

Andy Burnham wants to run Greater Manchester’s railways, including the line through Rochdale

Andy Burnham launched his latest transport mega-project last week – he wants to run some Greater Manchester railways. The mayor has long talked about taking commuter rail lines...

Date Published 29/01/2025


Traffic operation tackles community concerns

A targeted traffic operation was conducted on Queensway by the Kirkholt and Castleton Neighbourhood Police Team in response to concerns raised by local residents. The initiative,...

Date Published 29/01/2025

Rochdale Exchange Market to reopen after a decade

The Rochdale Exchange shopping centre has announced the long-anticipated reopening of its market, marking a major milestone for the town. After a decade without a permanent home,...

Date Published 29/01/2025


Man charged with non-fatal strangulation

A Rochdale man has been charged in connection with multiple assault offences following incidents involving one victim. Jamie Creevy, 36, of Rochdale, has been charged with Section...

Date Published 29/01/2025

Rochdale Jobcentre gears up for a busy year amid rising unemployment

Jobcentre Plus in Rochdale is preparing for a challenging but optimistic year as local unemployment figures show significant increases across various age groups.
Christine...

Date Published 29/01/2025


Feel Good family events to return

Free summer fun will be returning to the borough this year, with Rochdale Borough Council confirming that the Feel Good Family Picnic events will be staged again in 2025.

Date Published 28/01/2025

Andy Burnham engages youngsters at Kashmir Youth Project

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited the Kashmir Youth Project (KYP) in Rochdale to meet with local young people and hear about the challenges they face growing up in...

Date Published 28/01/2025


NatWest to close its last two branches in the borough

Rochdale and Middleton are to follow Heywood in losing their NatWest Bank, as part of a nationwide shutdown of NatWest branches. It was announced this week that the popular bank...

Date Published 28/01/2025

Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 27/01/2025


“Bring back the 167 bus service” says MP

‘Direct to Manchester’ to support growth, jobs, schools and new housing - that’s what people want, says Heywood and Middleton North MP about local bus services.  Elsie Blundell,...

Date Published 27/01/2025

Rochdale MP signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

Paul Waugh, Member of Parliament for Rochdale, signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging his dedication to honouring Holocaust Memorial Day on 27...

Date Published 27/01/2025


Council leader's column: delivering our ambitious regeneration programme

Neil Emmott is the leader of Rochdale Council and a councillor for West Middleton. This month he dedicates his column to the borough's exciting regeneration projects, including a...

Date Published 27/01/2025

The long saga of two huge housing plans to be decided this week

Hundreds of new homes could be built in Castleton – and a golf clubhouse could be relocated to make way for housing. Two major planning applications in Rochdale could soon make...

Date Published 27/01/2025


Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery visit Rochdale’s Local Studies

The Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery at Touchstones (FRAG) group has been on its travels since August 2023 when the renovation of Touchstones began. This month members visited a...

Date Published 26/01/2025

Students master Boccia ahead of organising tournament

Students from Whitworth Community High School have been learning a new sport and will be running a tournament for Year 6 and Year 7 students.

Date Published 26/01/2025


Grants available to local visitor attractions and venues in Rochdale

Rochdale Council has launched an exciting small grant scheme for local visitor attractions and venues in the Borough of Rochdale. The Rochdale Visitor Attraction and Venues...

Date Published 25/01/2025

Work on speed limit reductions across the borough continues

Rochdale Council will begin work on five new 20mph zones in ‘urban areas’ – and some residential streets – in Rochdale borough this month.

Date Published 25/01/2025


Rochdale people could be charged for bins - and see a tax rise of 4.99% this year

Rochdale residents could soon be charged for new bins and see a council tax hike of 4.99 per cent. The proposed rise as well as further budget cuts have been tabled as town hall...

Date Published 24/01/2025

New Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone plan ‘still doesn’t go far enough’, anti-pollution campaigners say

Greater Manchester’s new clean air plan ‘still doesn’t go far enough’, anti-pollution campaigners have said. Ministers confirmed on Thursday morning (23 January) that Andy...

Date Published 24/01/2025


Toast of the town: Mayor of Rochdale celebrates 25 years at renowned bakery company

The Mayor of Rochdale Shakil Ahmed, joined by consort Councillor Rachel Massey, marked a significant personal milestone this week with a visit to Allied Bakeries.
The mayor, who...

Date Published 24/01/2025

No charge Clean Air Zone for Greater Manchester is a ‘truly great outcome’, Burnham says

Andy Burnham says the government’s decision to not impose a charging clean air zone in Greater Manchester is a ‘truly a great outcome’. Ministers confirmed on Thursday morning (23...

Date Published 24/01/2025


Our guide to what's on in the borough this weekend

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Burns Cèilidh, Hello Again – The Neil Diamond Songbook, Burns and Brass, Insomnia – 90's Club Classic Show, Gordon Stewart Organ...

Date Published 23/01/2025

Council leaders want 100 new homes for the homeless

More than 100 new ‘bespoke homes’ for the homeless could be built across Rochdale in the next two years. The council has already secured funding to build 53 of the homes specially...

Date Published 23/01/2025


New chief executive appointed by Rochdale Council

James Binks has been appointed as the new chief executive of Rochdale Borough Council. Currently an assistant chief executive at Manchester City Council, he will replace the...

Date Published 23/01/2025

Public urged to report suspicious drone activity near Rochdale prison

Residents in Rochdale are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drone activity near Buckley Hall Prison as criminals increasingly use drones to smuggle...

Date Published 23/01/2025


Castleton, Littleborough and Rochdale among stations to be served by Bee Network trains

Nearly 100 Greater Manchester railway stations will be served by yellow Bee Network trains by 2030, including all the stations in the Rochdale borough, Transport for Greater...

Date Published 23/01/2025

Government announces pothole funding - and crackdown on roadworks

Two of Rochdale Borough’s MPs, Paul Waugh (Rochdale) and Elsie Blundell (Heywood and Middleton North), have welcomed a landmark government announcement addressing long-standing...

Date Published 23/01/2025


High school students raise over £2,000 for hospice

A whole school glow dodgeball event was one of several fundraising activities which helped students raise more than £2,000 for Rossendale Hospice. Twelve Year 10 members on the...

Date Published 22/01/2025

High Sheriff visits Rochdale’s Army of Kindness

The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Eamonn O’Neal OBE, paid a visit to Rochdale’s Army of Kindness Hot Food Kitchen last week, where he met the volunteers who dedicate their...

Date Published 22/01/2025


GMP reveals numbers of drink and drug drivers recorded over festive period

Police in Greater Manchester recorded an equal number of drink and drug driving offences during a month-long campaign which covered Christmas and New Year, with 570 arrests made...

Date Published 22/01/2025

Consultation opens for Northern Gateway development

A plan to create around 20,000 jobs and boost the Greater Manchester economy by £570m has taken another step forward.
People are now being invited to have their say on plans for...

Date Published 21/01/2025


Free workshops to boost Rochdale's retails and hospitality sectors

Rochdale Development Agency has unveiled a series of free workshops aimed at bolstering the retail and hospitality sectors. Fully funded by Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale...

Date Published 21/01/2025

Numerous arrests in Rochdale retail crime crackdown

Police officers in Rochdale North Neighbourhood have taken action in recent weeks to tackle prolific shoplifting offenders in the town centre and surrounding areas. Their efforts...

Date Published 21/01/2025


Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 20/01/2025

GMP and banking institutions are clamping down on fraudsters exploiting vulnerable victims in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Police have reinforced their partnership with banking institutions to tackle fraudsters targeting vulnerable residents in Rochdale and across Greater...

Date Published 19/01/2025


Toad Lane Concerts: Tim Kennedy concert pianist

Tim Kennedy appeared as a concert pianist at this week's Toad Lane concer but he is also well-known as a professional singer, vocal coach and organist.

Date Published 19/01/2025

National accreditation for Heywood Sports Village, Middleton Arena and Rochdale Leisure Centre

Three leisure venues operated by the charity Your Trust have achieved a national accreditation in recognition of providing best-in-class quality and excellence. Heywood Sports...

Date Published 18/01/2025


Life-changing work of NHS staff celebrated at awards ceremony

The care, compassion and life changing contributions of NHS staff were recognised at the Pennine Care People Awards ceremony.

Date Published 18/01/2025

Police team calls for public assistance on abandoned vehicles

The Rochdale Town Centre Neighbourhood Team is urging residents to help keep local streets clear of abandoned and untaxed vehicles by reporting any such cases promptly.

Date Published 18/01/2025


The museum undergoing £8.5m transformation now needs a new roof

The historic Touchstones in Rochdale is set to get an overhaul to sort ‘failings with the roof’. Water got into the Grade-II listed building following failings in the guttering, a...

Date Published 17/01/2025

The plan for two new apartment blocks with an unusual car parking system

Two new apartment blocks could soon be built on vacant grassland in Rochdale, and a unique parking system could be on the cards. The site off Bentley Street, Shawclough, would...

Date Published 17/01/2025


Residents urged to be vigilant after spike in Shawclough burglaries

Residents in the Shawclough area of Rochdale are being urged to take precautions following a recent spike in residential burglaries over the past week, according to the Rochdale...

Date Published 17/01/2025

Andy Burnham responds to harrowing reports from hospital nurses

Andy Burnham said he was shocked by a report that revealed patients have died in hospital corridors in the north west. Appearing on the weekly ‘In The Hotseat’ programme on BBC...

Date Published 17/01/2025


Police seize £48,000 in Rochdale property search

Greater Manchester Police have seized over £48,000 in cash during a search of a property in Rochdale. The operation, which took place following information provided by members of...

Date Published 17/01/2025

£1.31 million boost for Rochdale families through Start for Life initiative

Families across the borough of Rochdale are set to benefit from a significant £1.31 million funding boost as part of the government’s Start for Life programme.

Date Published 16/01/2025


Illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco seized in police operation

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's Neighbourhood Teams, alongside Rochdale Borough Council Trading Standards, conducted a joint operation targeting businesses on Drake...

Date Published 16/01/2025

Cold weather payments activated for Rochdale residents

Eligible residents across the Rochdale borough will automatically receive Cold Weather Payments following a recent cold spell. Covering the period from 5 to 11 January 2025, these...

Date Published 16/01/2025


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