Greater Manchester Police are appealing for help to find Sarah Butler, a white woman with a small, slim build and short dark hair, who was last seen on Rochdale Road in Oldham at 12:50pm on March 19. She was wearing black trousers, a black top, and a grey bubble coat when she disappeared. Police are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare and want to ensure she is safe and well. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact police on 0161 856 8961, quoting log 1746 of 19/03/26.
A four-bedroom detached bungalow on Lane Brow, Grotton, Oldham is listed for £600,000. The 1,800-square-foot property features a kitchen-diner with island, two electric ovens, gas hob and dishwasher, plus a utility room and store room. The ground floor includes a lounge with Velux windows and double doors to the garden, two double bedrooms (one with walk-in wardrobe), and a modern shower room. Upstairs are two more double bedrooms and a contemporary bathroom with L-shaped bath and overhead shower. The home has gas central heating, oak-effect uPVC double glazing, and sits on a one-fifth-acre plot with two driveways and parking for three vehicles. The west-facing rear garden includes split-level decking, lawn and mature shrubs. Located near Coverhill Road with access to schools, amenities and Uppermill village.
Residents in Oldham have raised safety concerns about Broadway after multiple crashes including a fatal collision on March 18, 2026. The road through Chadderton, Royton and Failsworth has seen four fatal crashes since 2015 according to police data. A March 15 crash on the A627M near Elk Mill Retail Park and a March 18 three-car crash that killed a man in his 50s have intensified calls for safety improvements. Residents cite dangerous driving, lane-swapping at the roundabout, and speeding as major issues. Oldham Council and National Highways share responsibility for the road, with National Highways installing 11 new speed and traffic light cameras. Councillors Christine Adams and Dave Arnott have called for an urgent review of the junction and increased traffic policing.
A man in his 50s named Michael Margetson from Oldham died following a three-vehicle collision on Broadway in Royton at around 5.22pm on Tuesday, March 17. His wife Diane paid tribute calling him 'her rock' and 'best friend'. A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed pending further investigation. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage from the area at the time.
Oldham Council, GMP, and Rochdale Trading Standards seized 37,150 illegal disposable vapes from a shop in the borough following a public tip-off. The products, valued between £120,000 and £330,000, were confiscated as part of a crackdown on banned disposable vapes, which became illegal last year. Deputy Leader Cllr Elaine Taylor said the seizure sends a clear message against businesses prioritising profit over community safety. The shop cannot be named as investigations continue, and the seized items will be used as evidence in prosecution. Residents are urged to report illegal vape sales to [email protected].
The Cross Keys in Uppermill, dating back to 1745 and originally known as 'The Gravemakers' due to its former use as a mortuary, has become a thriving destination pub. Landlords Craig Wilkes and David Devine, who previously managed the pub from 2013 to 2018, took over again in 2023. The JW Lees pub specialises in real ales, with Manchester Pale Ale and bitter as longstanding bestsellers, and has featured 48 times in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide over the last 50 years, making it the most mentioned pub in Oldham. The pub offers classic pub food including homemade pies and puddings, plus adventurous specials like sea bass and Thai curry. Annual highlights include the Rushcart Festival featuring Saddleworth Morris dancers. Despite industry pressures and increasing costs, the pub remains focused on keeping its doors open.
Emergency services responded to a car fire on the A627 near Royton at approximately 3.30pm on Wednesday, March 18. Two fire engines from Rochdale and Chadderton stations attended the incident on the slip road between the A664 and A627. A male occupant had already exited the vehicle before firefighters arrived. Crews worked to bring the blaze under control while Greater Manchester Police assisted with traffic management. Firefighters remained at the scene for around an hour to make the area safe. No further details about injuries have been confirmed.
Oldham Council's Trading Standards team, working with Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council Trading Standards, seized 37,150 illegal disposable vapes from a premises in the borough last week. The operation follows the UK's ban on disposable vapes introduced last year to protect children and reduce environmental waste. Deputy Leader Cllr Elaine Taylor stated the seizure sends a clear message against businesses prioritising profit over community safety. The seized items will be used in ongoing enforcement and prosecution cases. Residents are urged to report illegal vape sales to [email protected].
Several others were injured in yesterday's smash Everything we know after man dies in three car crash in Oldham A man in his 50s has died following a three-car collision on Broadway in Chadderton, Oldham. The crash occurred at the entrance to the Elk Mill retail park yesterday evening. Emergency services, including fire crews from Chadderton and Oldham, responded quickly to the scene. The incident resulted in significant damage to a Mercedes, a Toyota Prius, and a Ford, with debris scattered across the road. Broadway was closed for much of the evening as crews worked to make the area safe. The exact number of other people injured in the crash has not been disclosed.
A three-car crash occurred on Broadway in Oldham at approximately 5:20pm on March 17, 2026, near Elk Mill Retail Park and Netherhey Lane. The collision involved a Ford, Mercedes, and Toyota Prius, with all vehicles sustaining severe damage. Police confirmed that all occupants suffered injuries and a man in his 50s died. Emergency services including GMP, North West Ambulance Service, and GMFRS attended the scene. The road remained closed for several hours, affecting traffic and public transport for the Manchester City Champions League match. Witnesses described the scene as looking like 'someone had thrown a car showroom on the road.'
A man from Oldham has been disqualified from being the director of a business after he exploited a Covid Bounce Back Loan (BBL) by 'overstating' his company's turnover. Stephen Cornwell-Dobson, 44, provided incorrect turnover figures in order to access a greater loan, according to the Insolvency Service. He has now been disqualified and the company, XS Rentals Ltd, has been liquidated. During the Covid pandemic, the previous government introduced the BBL scheme to help companies try to survive. The terms of the scheme were that businesses could apply for a loan of between £2,000 and £50,000, subject to a maximum of up to 25 per cent of turnover from the previous calendar year, or an estimate
Oldham's new indoor market The Market opens March 28 at 9am, replacing the Tommyfield Market which closes March 21. The two-level market features 70 traders including many from Tommyfield, with entrances on Parliament Square and inside Spindles shopping centre. Opening day entertainment includes Taylor Swift tribute act, K-Pop Universe, local dance groups Fierce Dance and Natraj Dance Academy, street performers, and Granny Turismo racing with shopping trollies. Children can enjoy free arts and crafts, face painting, balloon creations, arcade games and rides. The first 100 visitors receive free goodie bags. All activities run 9am-3pm and both entrances are accessible.
Oldham is getting ready to launch its new market. After a six-month delay, the council is throwing all its energy into the grand opening of 'The Market'-the new home for Tommyfield traders. The new site on Yorkshire Street, attached to the Spindles shopping centre, will officially open its doors to the public at 9am on Saturday, March 28. The new hall will open with around 45 traders, ranging from butchers' and sweets' stalls to bedding, gifts, and hardware. Tommyfield's much-loved cafes will also be serving up their renowned fry-ups and pastries from the new centre, and there will be a number of new features such as a Thai food stall. Council leader. Arooj. Shah said: "This is a huge moment
A three-car collision closed Broadway in Royton on Tuesday March 17 at approximately 5:20pm between Elk Mill Shopping Park and Netherhey Lane. The crash involved a Mercedes, a Toyota Prius, and an unidentified third vehicle. Greater Manchester Police, fire crews from Chadderton and Oldham stations, and ambulance services responded to the scene. The area remained taped off for much of the evening, affecting traffic including Match Day Bus 13 heading to Manchester City's Champions League match. Staff at Elk Mill Shopping Park were allowed to leave as they finished shifts, but public access was blocked.
Daniel Hill, 34, from Oldham died on March 3 in a road traffic collision on the M6 motorway in Cheshire. The crash occurred at 7.47pm between junctions 16 and 17, involving a white Renault van and a crane truck. Hill was a passenger in the van and was pronounced dead at the scene. The van's driver, a 30-year-old man from Manchester, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Stoke Hospital. Hill's family described him as a hardworking family man devoted to his partner and six children, an avid rugby and football supporter who played for his town team. Cheshire Police appealed for witnesses and anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward, with investigations ongoing.
Tommy Cannon, 87, from Oldham, has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 50s and has been on active surveillance for over 20 years. The comedian, known as one half of Cannon and Ball, said he was 'frightened to death' by the diagnosis but is now 'still here, still kicking and doing OK'. He is working with Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness and urges men over 50 to get tested, calling it 'life-saving'. Cannon's wife Hazel has been 'amazing' and 'supportive' throughout his journey.
Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah appeared on BBC Politics North West and revealed she is a victim of a death threat case that won't go to trial until March 2027. She said the accused man is not in custody, leaving her worried. Shah criticised criminal justice delays, noting Greater Manchester's average wait of 696 days for cases. The discussion followed Labour MP Charlotte Nichols' parliamentary speech about rape and government plans to limit jury trials. Conservative candidate Ben Fletcher argued the changes penalise everyone and remove important appeal rights.
Our Place cafe opened in January 2026 in Uppermill's former Bloc location on High Street. The reviewer visited on a Friday afternoon without booking and was served by two friendly staff members. They ordered a deli meat, cheese and pesto toastie with homemade tomato relish (£20 total with caramel oat milk latte and takeaway lemon drizzle cake). The sourdough toastie contained salami, ventricina, prosciutto crudo, pesto and melted cheddar, served with a sweet tomato relish. The cafe has riverside views of the River Tame and stylish, bright decor.
First Choice Homes Oldham has completed a £2.3 million retrofit project upgrading 130 homes in Abbeyhills and Roundthorn with triple glazing, insulation, and heating controls. The work is part of a £31.4 million programme to achieve EPC C ratings for all FCHO properties by 2030. Resident Sylvia Jones reported her winter gas bills dropped from £40-50 to £20 weekly, with faster heating and reduced noise. Similar improvements are underway in Shaw and Chadderton, with Saddleworth, Holts Village and Alt scheduled for April.
Tommyfield Market in Oldham closes on March 21, 2026, after operating since the late 18th century. The market moves to a new indoor location called 'The Market' in Spindles, opening March 28 with 70 traders and an event space called The Loom. The old market building will be demolished to create a new town centre park also named Tommyfield. Council leader Arooj Shah described the closure as 'the end of an era' while expressing optimism about the new market's modern facilities.