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Dippy in Number One Riverside

Dippy on Tour will not reopen this month

Dippy on Tour will not reopen as planned this month due to Tier 3 restrictions.

Date Published 01/12/2020


Festive markets at Rochdale Riverside this December

Rochdale Riverside will welcome the addition of a German market alpine hut plus the Rochdale Food and Artisans’ Fayre this weekend.

Date Published 01/12/2020

Council leader calls for ‘urgent levelling up’ of coronavirus support

Council leader Allen Brett has called on the government to urgently expand the level of coronavirus support in place for businesses across the borough.

Date Published 01/12/2020


Route diversion for evening bus services between Rochdale and Todmorden

First Halifax and Calder Valley will operate a diversion on weekday evening services between Todmorden and Rochdale from Monday (30 November) until Thursday 10 December, due to...

Date Published 01/12/2020

HIV prevention pills soon to be more widely available in Greater Manchester

The end of an epidemic which devastated the gay community for decades is now in sight as HIV-prevention pills will soon be more widely available in Greater Manchester.

Date Published 01/12/2020


Final journey for last Pacer train after more than three decades’ service

Northern has bid a final farewell to its fleet of Pacers after more than three decades’ service.

Date Published 01/12/2020

Norden pulling out all the stops for Christmas 2020

A brand-new Christmas tree was installed and switched on in Norden on Friday evening (27 November) to complement the already existing ones at Norden War Memorial and Norden...

Date Published 01/12/2020


Up to 1,000 people a day could be given Covid vaccine at the Etihad by next month

Up to 1,000 people a day are expected to be given their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine at the Etihad campus by this time next month.

Date Published 01/12/2020

Fire at Freehold flats involved rubbish

Five fire engines tackled a fire at the Freehold flats, Rochdale, on Friday evening (27 November).

Date Published 01/12/2020


At-risk groups to receive free winter supply of vitamin D

More than 2.5 million vulnerable people across England will be offered free vitamin D supplements for the winter.

Date Published 30/11/2020

Cold snap on the way

Colder weather is expected across the UK this week, accompanied by frosts, hail and sleet.
Snow is expected to settle over higher ground in the northern half of the UK, which may...

Date Published 30/11/2020


New bus franchising consultation gets approval

Greater Manchester’s plans to bring the local bus network into public ownership have been approved for further public consultation to consider the effects of Covid-19.

Date Published 30/11/2020

Guinness celebrates success at the 2020 Investors in People Awards

The Guinness Partnership housing provider has won three awards in this year’s Investors in People awards ceremony.

Date Published 30/11/2020


Friends of Hamish Graham run half marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust

Friends of Hamish Graham – who is fighting cancer for a second time – have raised over £500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust after running a half-marathon in his honour.

Date Published 30/11/2020

Motorcyclist taken to hospital after College Bank collision

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital following a collision near the College Bank flats on Friday (27 November).

Date Published 30/11/2020


Mayor’s homelessness reduction scheme to be expanded after charity warns numbers seeking help have rocketed

The Mayor’s A Bed Every Night homelessness reduction scheme is being extended after a charity warned numbers seeking help have rocketed during the pandemic.

Date Published 30/11/2020

Rochdale businesses pitch in to donate to Christmas toy appeal

Local business Performance Doorset Solutions Ltd in Littleborough is encouraging other businesses to donate toys to Rochdale Council's Toy Appeal before Friday 4 December.

Date Published 29/11/2020


National Living Wage set to increase in 2021

The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates will increase again next year.
In April 2021, the National Living Wage will increase by 2.2 per cent from £8.72 to £8.91.

Date Published 29/11/2020

Nearly 800 fires a year caused by electrical appliances, new figures reveal

Property has been destroyed and homes have been seriously damaged nearly 800 times a year as a result of faulty or mistakenly used electrical appliances, Greater Manchester Fire...

Date Published 29/11/2020


Home-Start in Greater Manchester chosen as the John Lewis charity this Christmas

Local family support charity Home-Start has been named as one of two charities to benefit from a new campaign with John Lewis and Waitrose.

Date Published 29/11/2020

Tony Lloyd MP hits out at government's vote to 'scrap protections for child refugees'

Rochdale MP, Tony Lloyd has hit out at the Conservative government for voting down a proposal to preserve family reunion rights for child refugees after the UK leaves the EU.

Date Published 28/11/2020


Cadent Foundation grants £1.5 million to the Trussell Trust to help people break free from poverty

The Trussell Trust, which supports food banks across the North West including in Rochdale and Middleton, has been awarded a £1.5 million grant from the Cadent Foundation.

Date Published 28/11/2020

Virology team scoop national award for innovative Covid-19 testing protocol

A scientific innovation by a group of 25 specialist staff has led to a prestigious national award for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.

Date Published 28/11/2020


Rochdale town centre Covid testing centre moves

The Covid-19 testing centre at Rochdale town hall car park is being moved to Rochdale Leisure Centre car park as the car park is closing for the town hall restoration.

Date Published 28/11/2020

Council Highways van receives several parking tickets after 'admin error'

A council vehicle with several parking tickets was spotted on the town hall car park earlier this week.

Date Published 27/11/2020


Fears for hospitality industry as Tier 3 restrictions confirmed for Greater Manchester

Local leaders and business owners have spoken of their fears for the hospitality industry after it was confirmed Greater Manchester will come under tougher new Tier 3 restrictions...

Date Published 27/11/2020

Temporary change this weekend for Rochdale-Todmorden bus services

First Halifax and Calder Valley is introducing a temporary change to its services between Rochdale and Todmorden this weekend (28 and 29 November) due to the closure of Rochdale...

Date Published 27/11/2020


Car park at Rochdale Town Hall to close as restoration gets underway

The car park at Rochdale Town Hall will be closing in early January due to restoration work being started next year.

Date Published 27/11/2020

Mayor marks Lancashire Day 2020

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, read out the Lancashire proclamation and raised the Flag of Lancashire in Littleborough today (Friday 27 November) to mark...

Date Published 27/11/2020


Lack of testing capacity was behind a ‘significant increase’ in coronavirus outbreaks in care homes, says councillor

A lack of testing capacity was behind a ‘significant increase’ in coronavirus outbreaks within Rochdale care homes, it has been claimed.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham – cabinet...

Date Published 27/11/2020

Hopwood Hall named as a finalist in Association of Colleges' Beacon Awards for collaborative work with Bolton College

Two North West colleges have reached the finals of the Association of Colleges’ Beacon Awards for their collaborative work to become 'trauma informed colleges'.

Date Published 27/11/2020


Government debate on firework ban

The government must 'do more' around the sale of fireworks, a debate has heard, following a petition calling for a ban on their sale.

Date Published 27/11/2020

New £500,000 partnership offers help ahead of tough winter

Electricity North West and Citizens Advice have joined forces to help provide crucial support for those who need a little extra help this winter.

Date Published 27/11/2020


More than a thousand people in Greater Manchester issued with Covid-19 fines

Greater Manchester Police has issued fines to more than a thousand people for breaking coronavirus rules since the end of the summer – with men and young people the worst...

Date Published 27/11/2020

Springhill Hospice staff embark on 14-day virtual trek to India

After many fundraising events were cancelled due to Covid-19, 40 nurses at Springhill Hospice are walking the equivalent distance to India over 14 days.
The staff members decided...

Date Published 27/11/2020


Green Homes Grant extended for extra year

Homeowners across England will have until the end of March 2022 to have energy efficiency upgrades to their homes completed through the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, helping...

Date Published 27/11/2020

Rochdale borough placed into Tier 3 restrictions

The Rochdale borough will be placed into Tier 3 restrictions after the current national lockdown ends on Wednesday 2 December, the government has announced today (Thursday 26...

Date Published 26/11/2020


New industrial units on the way for former brownfield site

Thirteen new industrial units are being planned for the former Bradfern factory site off Oldham Road in Rochdale as the council has reached full capacity of its existing units.

Date Published 26/11/2020

Firefighters spend 19 hours tackling blaze at Rochdale industrial unit

Firefighters spent 19 hours tackling a blaze at a Crawford Street industrial unit on Wednesday and Thursday (25 and 26 November).

Date Published 26/11/2020


New book by retired PR consultant tackles bullying

A retired PR consultant from Hurstead has just released his first novel – at the age of 90.

Date Published 26/11/2020

Tony Lloyd MP backs letter urging government to extend ban on residential evictions

Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd is one of 50 national and local leaders to co-sign an open letter to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, urging government to extend the ban on residential...

Date Published 26/11/2020


Dippy zooms into Rochdale schools

Special zoom sessions recently launched in Rochdale have connected children across the region with the Natural History Museum’s famous dinosaur, Dippy.

Date Published 26/11/2020

Train staff assaulted at Rochdale railway station

British Transport Police is today (26 November) releasing a CCTV image following a report of an assault at Rochdale railway station.
The incident happened at 9.40am on Monday 9...

Date Published 26/11/2020


Homelessness accommodation gets a facelift thanks to partnership

St Clare’s House – which provides accommodation to people facing homelessness in Rochdale – has been given a major makeover, thanks to a partnership between Stepping Stone...

Date Published 26/11/2020

Online shopping scam warning ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

As the annual 'Black Friday' and 'Cyber Monday' events approach, offering shoppers thousands of deals on products, GMP is reminding online shoppers to stay vigilant towards...

Date Published 26/11/2020


Owners of long-term empty homes set to be hit with 300% council tax premium

Owners of homes in Rochdale left empty for 10 years or longer could be hit with a 300% council tax premium.
Currently people who have properties that have been unoccupied for...

Date Published 26/11/2020

Tier 3 looking likely for region but should be reviewed at first opportunity, says Burnham

Andy Burnham says it is ‘more likely than not’ that Greater Manchester will be put into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions despite falling infection rates.
The mayor is...

Date Published 25/11/2020


Borough’s virtual Christmas lights celebration

A virtual Christmas lights switch-on event is being broadcast by Rochdale Council on Sunday (29 November).

Date Published 25/11/2020

Nurse at local hospital struck off nine years after giving patient wrong medication

A nurse who administered morphine instead of noradrenaline to a patient at Fairfield Hospital has been struck off – nine years after making the error.

Date Published 25/11/2020


Man arrested following Counter Terrorism Police warrant

A 35-year-old man has been arrested following a warrant by the Counter Terrorism Police on Hollin Lane, Middleton (Wednesday 25 November).

Date Published 25/11/2020

Virtual jobs fair to highlight digital vacancies in Greater Manchester

An online jobs fair is being held tomorrow (Thursday 26 November) to showcase digital career opportunities.
Taking place between 1pm and 4pm, it will feature content on job...

Date Published 25/11/2020


Edgar Wood Academy is accepting applications for its first year 7 students ahead of next year's opening

Edgar Wood Academy has announced that it is now planning to open in September 2021 and is accepting applications for its first year 7 students.

Date Published 25/11/2020

Roadworks, temporary local road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 25/11/2020


8 to 19-year-olds can now apply for £2k grant from council’s Youth Opportunity Fund

Young people from across the borough can apply for grants of up to £2,000 from the council’s Youth Opportunity Fund.

Date Published 25/11/2020

Friends and loved ones can get together over the Christmas period

Social restrictions will be eased over the Christmas period allowing friends and loved ones to reunite.
The UK has signed off an aligned approach, allowing up to three households...

Date Published 25/11/2020


Vote on controversial Spatial Framework delayed by Rochdale Council

Rochdale Council has delayed its consideration of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, due to uncertainty about whether councillors in Stockport will approve the plans.

Date Published 25/11/2020

Department for Education overturns decision to close Deeplish Primary Academy early for Christmas

Deeplish Primary Academy will no longer close a week early for Christmas as the Department for Education has overturned the decision.

Date Published 25/11/2020


Donations for needy stolen from Middleton in Action Together volunteer group

Donations for people in need have been stolen from volunteer group Middleton in Action Together.

Date Published 24/11/2020

Bus franchising plans still on the table despite Covid-19

Greater Manchester is still planning to push ahead with taking control of the bus network despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leaders say their reforms, which would allow them to take...

Date Published 24/11/2020


Mayors join forces to call for support for millions ‘excluded’ from govt support

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to help almost three million people across the UK who have been ‘excluded’ from vital support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Date Published 24/11/2020

'Recklessly driven' car crashes into telegraph pole

A 'recklessly driven' car crashed into a telegraph pole on Blackstone Edge Road, Littleborough, on Monday evening (23 November).

Date Published 24/11/2020


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