The Old Bulls Head pub on Rochdale Road in Shaw, run by David and Andrea Smith since 2024, has implemented a unique 'no technology' rule banning phones and laptops. Despite being described as 'old fashioned' by Andrea Smith, 57, the pub is attracting young people and couples who appreciate its social atmosphere where customers make new friends. The pub, part of Samuel Smith's Brewery, offers activities including pool, darts, weekly quizzes, and special event nights. Taddy's lager is the most popular drink, though a stout is receiving praise as better than Guinness. The pub recently moved its pool table to a larger tap room to enhance sociability.
A woman who has lived near Dovestone Reservoir for almost 20 years has shared a shocking video of how parking and traffic in the area delayed a fire engine responding to a moor fire this week. The video, shared with The Oldham Times by Ella Trow, shows the fire engine as it heads up to the reservoir. The fire engine making its way past vehicles parked on yellow lines (Image: Ella Trow) As the engine travelled up the lower part of the road, it managed to get through fairly quickly, and several cars were able to move out of the way so that it could pass. When it reached the car park, the fire engine was forced to slow down while it squeezed through a gap between cars parked in spaces on either
Three more fires ripped through the moors around Saddleworth yesterday (April 8), with firefighters on scene at one overnight. Fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were first called to a fire near Blackstone Edge Reservoir at around 1.30pm. They began to tackle the fire with crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. The fire and rescue service then received a second call to another fire, this one near Dovestone Reservoir, at around 3.40pm yesterday. The fire near Dovestone (Image: Ken Bennett) The Dovestone fire saw crews tackling flames for around five hours and required several fire engines from across Greater Manchester. Images from the scene showed a large
The death of the four-month-old son of former Oldham Athletic player Matt Smith is a "tragic reminder" of the "urgent need to protect the title of nurse", experts have said. It comes after a coroner criticised the "misleading" use of the title "maternity nurse" after the death of Madison Bruce Smith. Madison was found unresponsive by his father on the morning of October 18, 2024. The infant could not be resuscitated at the family home in Trafford, Manchester, and was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mr Smith and his wife, former Manchester United player Steve Bruce's daughter Amy, had employed a maternity nurse through a company named Ruthie Maternity Services aft
Allotment holders say they are devastated after a fire broke out at an Oldham site. Several sheds and a greenhouse have burnt down at Oakbank Allotments on Laurel Avenue, Chadderton, with some allotment holders left "disappointed and discouraged". Now, a clean-up is set to be organised as the allotments look to recover from the blaze. The fire at Oakbank Allotments broke out at around 9pm on Saturday (April 4), with firefighters called to the scene. According to Adrian Shuttleworth, secretary of Oakbank Allotments, the strong winds during Storm Dave caused the fire to spread "rapidly" and inflict damage on several allotments. Strong winds over the weekend made the fire spread "rapidly" (Imag
Critical care nurses at Royal Oldham Hospital are striking on April 7, 2026, over a dispute about overtime pay and agency staff use. The strike follows collapsed talks with UNISON union, which claims nurses are paid less for overtime than regular shifts despite contracts requiring time-and-a-half rates. The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust says patient safety remains their priority while working to minimize disruption. The union argues staff are being forced onto secondary NHS Professionals agency contracts, losing proper overtime payments and pension contributions. The trust has refused further negotiations despite union requests.
Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall is closing in 2026 after 40 years of hosting youth music performances, concerts, pantos, elections and community events. The venue, part of the Civic Centre built in 1962 and extended in 1977, was officially opened by the Queen Mother. Famous acts including Iron Maiden, Madness, The Kinks and Inspiral Carpets performed there. The hall hosted Oldham's Christmas and Easter pantomimes during the Coliseum Theatre's refurbishment, amateur boxing, snooker including Steve Davis's first televised maximum break in 1982, and served as the town's election count venue. Civic functions have moved to the JR Clynes building while The Loom, a new multi-purpose venue, has opened. Plans announced last year will demolish the brutalist building to make way for over 800 new homes as part of Oldham's regeneration plans.
A reviewer visited The Green Room cafe at Oldham's new market on opening Saturday, ordering a cheese and onion pie with chips and beans for £9.50. The cafe was busy with staff working hard, and the reviewer waited about five minutes for food after ordering. The pie filling was described as cheesy and peppery with nice texture, while the pastry was buttery despite looking underdone. Chips were crispy and flavourful, beans were hot. Portion size was large enough to leave some food. The reviewer plans to return and try other menu items including jacket potatoes and paninis.
Nandhini Kuppuswamy, a nurse at Butler Green Primary Care Network in Chadderton, Oldham, travelled to India for private lupus treatment unavailable on the NHS. She and her family were stranded in Dubai when Iran conflict escalated and flights were cancelled. After three weeks of disruption, they secured flights home costing nearly £12,000, which their travel insurance did not cover as it was conflict-related. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise £4,500 to help with these unexpected costs.
Fuel crisis fears are growing in Oldham as UK petrol prices exceed 150p per litre amid Middle East conflict. The bombing of Iran by the US has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil supplies. While no current fuel shortages exist in Oldham, the council confirms it has support plans in place through its Crisis and Resilience Fund to help low-income households facing financial hardship. The council is also monitoring the situation and will update contingency plans as needed.
A £700,000 luxury bungalow at Lane Drive, Grotton, Oldham, offers 3,000 sq ft of upgraded living space with a temperature-controlled wine cellar, Hydrospa Pro-Swim Spa, snooker room, and conservatory. The property includes a contemporary kitchen with Corian worktops and glass hatch to the wine cellar, a wellness suite with sauna and shower, and a first-floor master suite with roll-top bath. Set on a plot with gardens on three sides, composite decking, pond, and 7kW EV charging point, it is located near Coverhill Road and Saddleworth villages including Uppermill.
The Old Original pub in Scouthead, Oldham, has been serving pints since 1722, making it the oldest pub in Saddleworth with a licence dating back over 300 years. Originally a rural alehouse on the turnpike road between Lancashire and Yorkshire, the pub has operated under various names including 'Cart and Sandbag' and 'The Rose and Crown' before becoming widely known as The Old Original in 1871. The pub has had only around 24 landlords across its history, with 13 coming from just three periods of family ownership. Currently run by Richard Harrop, who took over from his parents Tom and Jannette, the pub maintains strong community ties with Richard's son Harry serving as assistant manager. The establishment is known for its wholesome, high-quality food, warm atmosphere with open fires and candlelit tables, and various offers including £10 curry nights and seasonal menus priced at £17 for...
Demolition work has started on a King Street building in Oldham that collapsed on March 24, injuring three people with two requiring hospital treatment. The building, part-owned by Hollinwood Councillor Kamran Ghafoor and business partner Sameer Zulqurnain under KKS Investors, had been showing large cracks for years. Following the collapse, 40 people were evacuated from surrounding buildings and King Street has remained closed to vehicles for over a week. Engineers describe the demolition as 'delicate' due to adjacent properties, with roads expected to reopen later this week once deemed safe. Investigations into the cause continue.
Oldham has been named Greater Manchester's Town of Culture for 2026-27, receiving a £50,000 grant for a year-long program of arts and cultural events. The announcement coincided with the opening of The Loom, a new indoor market and event space. Council leader Cllr Arooj Shah highlighted Oldham's multicultural heritage, industrial history, and famous residents including Professor Brian Cox and Mark Owen. While some residents welcomed the recognition, others questioned the 'town' designation and expressed skepticism about celebrating culture in a borough that has closed theatres and venues. The full program of events has yet to be announced.
The statutory independent grooming gangs inquiry will examine whether ethnicity, culture or religion influenced offending and institutional response. Oldham has been confirmed among the first areas for local investigation. The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, will have legal powers to compel witnesses and require documents. It will conduct local investigations where serious failures have been identified in response to child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs. The inquiry has a maximum duration of three years, a budget of £65 million, and will publish findings progressively rather than waiting for a final report.
Oldham has been announced as Greater Manchester's Town of Culture for 2026-2027. With the accolade comes a £50,000 grant to fund a 12-month programme of community events, festivals, performances and exhibitions that celebrate Oldham's arts and culture scene. The Greater Manchester Town of Culture project is inspired by the national City of Culture scheme, which was introduced by Mayor Andy Burnham in 2009, when he was Culture Secretary. Council leader Arooj Shah has described the accolade as a "huge moment of pride for Oldham and a real vote of confidence in our town". She said: "With over £450 million of regeneration transforming our town centre, this recognition shows that Oldham's future
Frank Rothwell's documentary 'The Oldham Man and the Sea' has won best documentary feature at the 2026 Manchester Film Festival. The 78-minute film, produced by Colin Offland and directed by Marc Ingham, chronicles Rothwell's 2024 Atlantic rowing journey. The festival, now in its eleventh year, sold 10,000 tickets - a 40% increase from the previous year. The judging panel included critics Tom Percival, Emily Murray, Alistair Ryder, filmmaker Matt Butler-Hart, and Clarisse Loughton. The film has had limited screenings including at Millgate Arts Centre in Delph and an upcoming showing at Queen Elizabeth Hall on April 26.
Oldham's new market has opened in The Spindles shopping centre as part of a £450 million town centre regeneration programme. The market, which celebrates the town's heritage while creating a modern space for local traders, opened with a vibrant celebration featuring independent stalls, food businesses, and entertainment. Located next to the new event space The Loom and linking directly to Parliament Square, the market aims to establish Oldham as a destination for culture and community events. Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah described the opening as a proud moment for the town, emphasizing investment in local businesses and the community's future.
A five-bedroom detached family home in Fatherford Close, Diggle, is on the market for £600,000. The property offers landscaped gardens, countryside views, and is near Diggle nursery, Diggle Primary School, and Saddleworth High School. The ground floor includes a bay-fronted lounge, dining room, home office, and a modern kitchen diner with central island. Upstairs are three double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, a master en-suite with wet room, and a main bathroom with TV. A second staircase leads to an additional bedroom with en-suite. The rear garden features lawns, decking, and seating areas. Driveway parking and an integral garage are included. Greenfield train station is 2.6 miles away.
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton MP Jim McMahon has criticised fly-tippers for dumping rubbish in Oldham's countryside, sharing a video showing waste piled on a roadside. He described the behaviour as 'selfish' and 'baffling', noting that not a week goes by without household, commercial, or builders' waste ruining the borough's country lanes, parks, and open spaces. In early 2026, The Oldham Times published nearly 10 articles about the issue, including reports of hotspots being targeted within days of cleaning, residents calling it a 'joke', and councillors organising clean-up crews. Proposed government measures include community service for offenders, £300 fines, and penalty points on driving licences. Oldham Council has relaunched its 'Don't Trash Oldham' campaign to tackle the problem.