A housing association has been shortlisted for three categories at the Northern Housing Awards. First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has been recognised for its work across biodiversity, housing development, and retrofit improvements. The Northern Housing Partnership of the Year nomination is for its 'Greater & Greener' project, delivered in collaboration with the National Trust to improve biodiversity in communities. FCHO's West Vale scheme, which includes 62 rental apartments and 26 shared ownership homes in Coldhurst, has been shortlisted for Best Affordable Housing Development (£10m-£20m). The organisation is also in the running for Best Retrofit Initiative or Project for its £5.4 million, t
A restaurant in Lees has returned to its original pub roots and name after a rebrand. The Devi Lounge opened on Elliott Street in 2024, after The Milan Bar, which had been occupying the building, shut down. New signage at the pub (Image: Devonshire Arms) It was opened in a joint venture between the owners of Bad Manners , a restaurant formerly in Grotton and K's Lounge Bar, Grill and Indian Restaurant. The restaurant was opened under the name Devi Lounge in a nod to the building's former life as The Devonshire Arms, which was open between the 1960s and 80s. Inside The Devonshire Arms (Image: Devonshire Arms) Now, the business has gone a step further and fully rebranded back to The Devonshire
The Three Crowns pub in Saddleworth has reopened under new manager Jodie Bennett after the previous landlords left in January. The pub had been listed as needing new managers since September. Bennett spent six weeks preparing the venue before reopening on April 3, 2026. The new menu features traditional dishes like steak and ale rag pudding alongside Mediterranean-style ox cheek ragu. Customer reviews have been highly positive, with one reviewer praising the quality of food comparable to Salt in Uppermill, which recently received an AA Rosette. Another reviewer described the Sunday lunch as one of the best they've had in a long time, particularly praising the beef, Yorkshire pudding, and accompanying vegetables.
Levers Fish and Chips, the legendary chippy at the heart of Oldham town centre, has confirmed its new location. For the last 30 years, the chip shop has been located in one of the outdoor-facing units of Tommyfield Market. Last month, most of the traders inside the market left Tommyfield for good and set up shop inside the new space at Spindles shopping centre. The outside units, including Levers, are still open for business at Tommyfield for the time being, but will soon be moving to new locations. Levers Fish and Chips has now confirmed to The Oldham Times that it will be taking over the town centre shop formerly occupied by BrightHouse. It is located opposite the Home Bargains and next to
Three Oldham businesses have been named on the government's latest tax defaulters list. Mushtaq Cash and Carry, previously on Coldhurst Street, defaulted £304,212 in tax between June 2019 and February 2024 and received a £190,132.44 penalty. Slimconstruction Ltd, formerly on Belmont Street, defaulted £44,732 between May and August 2024 and was dissolved in October 2024 with a £29,075.80 penalty. S'N'S Spaces Limited, trading as Saniya's Brow Bar in Spindles Shopping Centre, defaulted £43,938.30 between January 2022 and November 2023 with a £24,605.44 penalty. All three businesses are either dissolved or in liquidation.
Topps Tiles has announced plans to close 23 stores nationwide, representing seven per cent of its 319-strong estate, as part of significant cost-cutting measures. The company has not yet confirmed which branches will close, leaving the future of its Oldham store on Laurel Trading Estate in Royton uncertain. Eight stores have already closed since September 2024, with the remainder scheduled to shut over the next six months. The retailer previously operated a second site on Oldham Road in Failsworth, which closed between September 2020 and April 2021. Chief executive Alex Jensen cited subdued consumer sentiment, geopolitical uncertainty, and cumulative cost inflation as reasons for the closures. The company reported six-month sales of £142.7 million, down 0.1 per cent, though excluding the CTD acquisition impact, sales rose 2.1 per cent.
Tyromancer, a new cheesemonger opening on High Street in Uppermill, has applied to Oldham Council for an alcohol licence. The licence would allow the shop to sell alcohol from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week, as part of its delicatessen operations. The application states alcohol will be sold in sealed containers only, with no consumption on site, and the shop will have a single supervised retail area with clear visibility of customer areas. Staff will be trained in responsible retailing, age verification, and refusing sales to intoxicated people or suspected proxy purchasers. The applicant, TDH Strategy & Retail Ltd, has proposed conditions including CCTV recording for 28 days, keeping records of sale refusals, and accepting only passport, UK photocard driving licence, or PASS-approved proof-of-age cards as ID.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) partnered with Get Oldham Working to bring aviation job opportunities directly to Oldham residents on March 23, 2026. The event showcased live vacancies, apprenticeships, and training pathways in customer service, aviation security, engineering, retail, hospitality, logistics, and operational support. James Ogborn from Get Oldham Working highlighted MAG as a major employer offering opportunities for all ages and backgrounds. Cllr Fida Hussain emphasized the council's priority of supporting residents into secure employment. Tina Edwards from Manchester Airport expressed pride in connecting Oldham residents to career pathways. Representatives provided information on current vacancies, recruitment campaigns, career progression, and application processes.
Volksmaster, founded in Oldham in 1996 by Ryan McDonald, celebrates 30 years of operation as a family automotive business that has grown from a single workshop to four branches across Greater Manchester. The company now employs around 50 local families and has expanded services to include mobile SMART repairs and a fully equipped body workshop in Oldham. Founder Mike McDonald credits the business's success to community trust and feedback, maintaining core values of transparency and customer-first service. The company recently exceeded targets in its Anniversary Thanksgiving Marketplace campaign and continues to develop its Volksmaster Smart Repairs service, now in its third year of expansion.
Delve restaurant in Delph, Saddleworth, has closed with immediate effect after being listed for sale earlier this year. Owner Jamie announced the closure on social media on March 18, 2026, citing personal and professional factors. The restaurant had previously appealed to customers about no-shows and cancellations in December 2025, reporting 50 missed bookings in one service. All suppliers and staff will be paid in full, and outstanding vouchers will be refunded or honored at the sister site Diggle Lock. The closure has prompted expressions of sadness from customers on social media.
Tommyfield Market in Oldham will close permanently on March 21, 2026, after which traders will move to The Market at Spindles shopping centre. The new market opens March 28 with entertainment and activities. Traders like Anton Jaskiewicz, Marilyn Cuschera, Sham Fareed, Mark Crossley, and James Brierley express optimism about the move despite mixed feelings about leaving Tommyfield. Many have worked at Tommyfield for decades and will miss the community spirit. The new market is expected to boost town centre activity and bring modern facilities to traders.
Uncle's Tea Hut, a dessert shop on Manchester Road in Chadderton, Oldham, has gained viral attention after food reviewer Chow Reviews featured its Dubai chocolate mini egg crunch cake on TikTok. The shop serves desserts from 9am to 1am daily and offers drive-through service where customers order from their cars. The mini egg crunch cake features a chocolate cake base topped with chocolate ganache, chocolate-coated cornflakes, and mini eggs. The business previously operated on Havelock Street before moving to its current location in the car park of Bimz Lounge, Restaurant and Bar, where it was allegedly targeted in an arson attack. Uncle's Tea Hut maintains a 4.3-star rating across 340+ reviews.
Mabels restaurant in Royton has closed its Rochdale Road venue after announcing it will operate as a delivery-only dark kitchen. The family-run business cited rising costs and building issues beyond their control as reasons for the closure. The last day of trading at the physical location was Sunday March 15. Customers expressed disappointment with one calling the food 'delicious' and 'phenomenal' after a review by food blogger Peety Scranz. The business plans to continue operations through delivery and catering services from a non-prime location. Contact details remain available via Facebook.
One Soul Cafe and Eco Store on Oldham Road, Failsworth, has applied to Oldham Council for a licence to serve alcohol on and off the premises. The cafe, which has a maximum capacity of 30 people, plans to operate as a food-led venue serving organic wines, IPAs, craft beers and cocktails alongside small plates made with fresh, organic produce. Alcohol would be available from 12pm-11pm Monday-Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday and 11am-9pm Sunday. The business says the licence supports its expansion plans to create a relaxed community space and is committed to the four licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm.
Nonnas cafe has opened a second location in Greenfield, Saddleworth, after three successful years in Stalybridge. Owner Anthony Zazzarino launched the new site on Chew Valley Road last weekend, taking over the former Pick Me Up Co building. The opening day saw queues out the door for the four-hour service, with both new and familiar customers attending. The cafe currently serves coffee, cakes and bakes, with plans to add alcohol licence and basement seating by May. Zazzarino aims to create an intimate atmosphere where customers build relationships, similar to the Stalybridge venue.
Dob X Tea, a new traditional tearoom, has opened within the Swan Inn pub in Dobcross village. The tearoom offers daily afternoon tea service in an upstairs room with views across Dobcross and the Saddleworth hills. Menu items range from £2 for sausage rolls to £4.95 for finger sandwiches, with scones, jam and clotted cream priced at £3.50. The Swan Inn, taken over by the Welby family in August, also operates a kitchen serving pub classics. For Mother's Day on March 15, the tearoom will offer afternoon tea with prosecco for £32.50 per person.
Dinnerstone, a popular restaurant in Uppermill, Saddleworth, closed in early 2025 after operating for 20 years. The High Street property, which served as the restaurant's home, is now available to let for £72,000 per annum. The stone-built end-terrace building includes a basement, ground floor, and first floor, offering approximately 126 covers across two floors. Property company Fleurets is managing the letting on flexible, free-of-tie terms. The ground floor features an open-plan bar and dining area centred around a double-height space. Owner Charles Brierley still operates The White Hart at Lygate, another popular Oldham eatery.
Ian Howard, owner of That Wine Cellar in Delph, has announced the closure of his King Street shop on March 29, 2026, citing rising running costs and inability to commit to a new three-year lease. Howard, known locally as 'That Wine Fella', stated he has been 'broken' by the decision after three and a half years of trading. The business will continue online with subscriptions and events moving to other local venues. Howard received an 18-page email listing price increases from just one importer, making margins too small to justify a long-term lease commitment.
Lees Village Service Station in Oldham has asked customers to 'be kind' as fuel prices rise substantially due to the war in the Middle East. The family-run business posted on Facebook that it had 'more or less' sold out of fuel, forcing prices to increase the following day. The station clarified it would not benefit from the price increase and urged customers not to panic buy, noting that 38,000 litres were due the next day. The price rise follows air strikes by Israel and the US on Iran and the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Staff have been asked to be treated kindly during these difficult times, with the business noting that fuel prices do eventually come down unlike many other goods.
The Fox and Pine pub in Oldham, co-owned by Chris Riley and his wife Michelle, has converted a former fire engine into a travelling bar. The mobile bar will serve cask ale, craft beer, lagers, cider on draught, and a fully stocked family-friendly bar at festivals, fun days, corporate events, and charity fundraisers. The pub is running a competition to name the bar, with the winner getting to pull the first pint. The Fox and Pine has won 'Pub of the Year' for five consecutive years from the local CAMRA branch and was named CAMRA's Greater Manchester pub of the year in July.