Latest news: Yorkshire Street re-opens after explosion

Crowds head down Yorkshire Street after the street and nearby shops were evacuated this morning.

Yorkshire Street, Rochdale's main town centre shopping street, has now fully reopened following this morning's electrical explosion and Rochdale Council is encouraging shoppers to support their local town centre stores this weekend after being given the all clear by United Utilities that the area is now safe.

Yorkshire Street was closed for more than three hours today (Friday), after an electrical explosion underneath the road surface outside Woolworths blew a manhole cover into the air and caused minor injuries to two women and a young boy.

Shops were evacuated and staff took refuge in the town hall where hot drinks were served.

Rochdale Council and the Rochdale Town Centre Management Company are urging people to ‘Shop Local’ this weekend to support retailers who missed out on today’s lunchtime trade.

Councillor Greg Couzens, cabinet member for finance, said: “Local retailers in Rochdale town centre have lots to offer for Christmas shoppers and I’d urge people to not let this incident put them off coming into town this weekend.

"The problem was an electrical fault – it has been investigated and we’ve been reassured by United Utilities that the cables are now safe. It is a difficult time for businesses at the moment so I’d urge local people to do everything they can to support their local shops.

"Don’t forget too that it’s the Reindeer Parade in town this Sunday – so please come along, get into the festive spirit and do your Christmas shopping.”

Father Christmas and his specially chosen real-life Reindeer will will be part of a grand parade making their way from the top of Yorkshire Street at 12pm and will be accompanied by Christmas-themed street entertainers, the Rochdale Hornets, Littleborough Brass Band playing Christmas favourites and excited children from Shawclough Primary School.

You can also come along and meet the reindeer in their pen on The Butts before the parade at 10.30am and after from 1pm. Shawclough Primary School children will be treating the crowds to some festive songs too.

The shops in town centre will also be open for Christmas Shopping and Santa’s grotto will be open in the Rochdale Exchange.