Main News

David Sutcliffe

How life has changed on a notorious, crime-ridden estate shut off to outsiders

Not too long ago, it was a notorious, crime-ridden estate shut off to outsiders. Now, police and neighbours say, it’s changed. In the Freehold area of Rochdale, people were scared to leave their homes after dark. Plagued by drug-dealing, anti-social behaviour and other criminal activity, residents were terrified. Police were forced to take drastic action.

Date Published 06/02/2025


Call for artists to be part of Rochdale Creates outdoor gallery

Rochdale Creates is thrilled to invite artists to participate in an exciting new opportunity to have their work showcased in Rochdale Creates Outdoor Gallery, an outdoor art...

Date Published 06/02/2025

Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

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

Date Published 05/02/2025


Half term fun at Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale Town Hall will be the location for top notch family fun this February half term, with a series of activities set to keep the young ones entertained. On Tuesday 18...

Date Published 05/02/2025

Castleton station ‘to become epicentre of huge change and growth’

The area around Castleton Station is set to be one of many ‘growth locations’ across Greater Manchester. The government is working with Greater Manchester leaders to release land...

Date Published 04/02/2025


Celebrating five years of championing good employment practices

The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of championing good employment practices across the region, including...

Date Published 05/02/2025

Building site becomes outdoor art gallery

The exterior of Heywood’s much-loved civic theatre has been turned into a colourful outdoor art gallery, thanks to artists from across Greater Manchester.

Date Published 05/02/2025


Young refugee honoured with prestigious cricket award

A young Afghan refugee has been recognised for his dedication to cricket, receiving the esteemed Spirit of Cricket award. The award highlights his resilience, passion, and...

Date Published 05/02/2025

'Thanks for making Freehold a place to feel proud to live in again' - Residents react to neighbourhood police initiative

An initiative between GMP Rochdale and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has led to significant improvements in the Freehold neighbourhood, tackling crime and anti-social...

Date Published 04/02/2025


“Earn while you learn” says Northern as it opens up applications for engineering apprenticeships

Budding engineers should “earn while you learn” on the railway according to the boss of the region’s biggest train operator. As the UK gets set to mark National Apprenticeship...

Date Published 04/02/2025

Rochdale Mayor attends High Level (Northern Trust) open day

Mayor of Rochdale Shakil Ahmed and the Consort to the Mayor, Councillor Rachel Massey, attended the Professionals Open Day hosted by High Level (Northern Trust) on Tuesday...

Date Published 04/02/2025


'Eyesore’ land in the town centre will become home to new apartment block

A new five-storey apartment block is set to be built in Rochdale town centre.
A total of 33 one-bed apartments will be constructed on a piece of land off Drake Street. Now a...

Date Published 03/02/2025

Contractor appointed for regeneration scheme in Rochdale town centre

The redevelopment of the Grade II listed Broadfield Park Slopes in Rochdale town centre has taken a major step forward, with the appointment of a local contractor to deliver the...

Date Published 03/02/2025


GM mayor ‘extremely confident’ Bee Network £2 bus fare cap ‘will remain in place’ for 2025

Andy Burnham is ‘extremely confident’ the £2 Bee Network bus fare cap will ‘remain in place’ for 2025. The mayor introduced the £2 limit on single bus tickets in 2022 on private...

Date Published 03/02/2025

Rochdale Town Hall Organ Recital - Gordon Stewart

Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association (ORTOA), established in 1908 is back at the newly restored town hall with a performance by celebrated Scottish organ virtuoso...

Date Published 02/02/2025


Middleton gets ready to blossom in RHS Britain in Bloom finals

Middleton Town Centre has been selected as one of the best in the North West and will represent the region in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom this year.

Date Published 02/02/2025

Ask Citizens Advice: What can we do to make sure we’re protected when booking a holiday?

Citizens Advice Rochdale is a local charity that provides free, independent, impartial, confidential advice to people in Rochdale.
Each month, we share advice around a key issue...

Date Published 02/02/2025


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

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...

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


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