Popeyes is opening its first Oldham restaurant tomorrow at 11am at Elk Mill Shopping Park, taking over the former Pizza Hut building. The Louisiana-style fried chicken chain is offering launch day giveaways including free deluxe chicken sandwiches for a year to the first four customers, merchandise to the first 50, and free sandwiches to the first 100. This is Popeyes' sixth UK opening of 2026 and fifth restaurant in Greater Manchester, following recent openings in Bolton and upcoming locations at Piccadilly Station and Trafford Retail Park. The halal-certified chicken is marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasoning before being hand-breaded and battered.
Plans to close Chadderton Hall Park Day Care, a service for adults with learning disabilities in Oldham, have been paused following public outcry. The council-run MioCare service, described as 'irreplaceable' by families, was set to close as part of £8m budget cuts to address a £20m deficit. MP Jim McMahon called for 'every effort' to keep it open. The revised budget now allocates £100,000 for youth services and £250,000 for a Rapid Response Street Scene Team. Council leader Arooj Shah said the pause allows time for 'meaningful conversations' about the service's future.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her work supporting young people through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation in Chadderton. Mrs Batan, who has volunteered with the foundation for two years, was nominated by chief executive Zakir Ahmad for her outstanding contribution as a trusted role model. She recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls and received the award from FCHO project officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during school holidays.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her volunteer work supporting young people through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation in Chadderton. Nominated by Yuvanis Foundation chief executive Zakir Ahmad, Mrs Batan has volunteered for two years and recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls. She received the award from FCHO project and partnerships officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during school holidays.
Oldham Council has approved £200,000 per year for two years to extend POINT's Short Breaks Play and Leisure services for children with SEND. The charity, based on Middleton Road in Chadderton, provides activities including music, crafts, sensory play, sports, and adapted cycling at Alexandra Park. Families have also enjoyed trips to Blackpool Illuminations and Flamingo Land. Cllr Mohon Ali announced the extension, emphasizing the importance of continuity for local families. Parents completing the Riding the Rapids course praised its life-changing impact on understanding autism and ADHD.
Chadderton Town Hall will host its first wedding fair on Sunday 25 January 2026, offering couples the chance to win a free wedding. The event marks a new community initiative at the historic venue. Separately, Oldham Council has partnered with local organisations to create a community growing hub at Berries Field Park in Chadderton, which opened in December 2025. The growing hub aims to provide residents with space for community gardening and food production. In May 2025, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government Alex Norris MP visited Chadderton to review the Council's neighbourhood investment plans for the town, demonstrating ongoing government interest in local development projects.
Greater Manchester Police are investigating a shooting in Oldham where shots were fired at a property on School House Road at 1pm on Sunday, February 15. Bullet holes were found in the downstairs window and a car parked outside. Two men, aged in their 40s and 20s, were arrested on February 18 during dawn raids on Chapel Road and Vicarage Street on suspicion of firearms offences, but have since been released on bail. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith described the incident as a targeted attack and said extra patrols have been deployed in the area. Police are appealing for CCTV, doorbell footage, photos, or descriptions of suspects to be reported directly.
A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a bin fire on Bardsley Street, Oldham, at around 6.30am on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident alongside police, who were called to reports of the fire. The residents of the affected property were taken to hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation. Detective Inspector Andy Barrett of GMP's Oldham CID said the consequences of the suspected arson attack could have been very different and urged anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting log 381 of 19.02.26, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Said Saddat, 19, from Chadderton, has been jailed for three years and nine months after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm for a knife attack in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens on July 27, 2025. The victim, a man in his 20s, suffered a significant neck wound and required emergency hospital treatment. CCTV showed Saddat had earlier told the victim he was 'not allowed' to be at Piccadilly Gardens before returning armed with a knife and attacking him. Saddat was arrested, treated in hospital, and sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on February 19, 2026.
A new Starbucks drive-through has opened in the Tesco Chadderton car park, built in an underutilised section of the parking area. The store, which received planning permission in March last year, operates alongside a drive-through Greggs. This is the third drive-through Starbucks in the borough, joining locations at Elk Mill Retail Park and Manchester Road in Chadderton. The store opened on February 13 and has created 15 new jobs. Customers have praised the bright and airy interior, with two Google reviews highlighting the clean, comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff. The combined Starbucks and Greggs stores provide 41 dedicated parking spaces within the Tesco car park.
Residents on four Chadderton streets lost water supply on February 19, 2026, after an issue on Cathedral Road interrupted service. United Utilities reported the problem at 8:20am and stated it was investigating. The outage affected homes on Rydal Avenue, Tavistock Drive, Cathedral Road and Minster Way. By 9:15am, the company confirmed repairs were complete and water had been restored. A spokesperson said emergency repairs were carried out and apologised for the inconvenience.
The Colliers Arms pub in Chadderton, Oldham, has been named Pub of the Week for its strong community spirit. Landlord Patrick Smith, 33, took over in June 2024 and faced his first major challenge when Storm Claudia in November 2024 brought down trees on the pub and beer garden shelter. The community rallied to help with cleanup, and the damaged pagolia was replaced. The pub, dating back to 1806 when it was called the Slack Inn, offers live sports, music on Fridays, karaoke on Saturdays, and Foster's and John Smith's as popular drinks. Patrick describes it as an 'old school pub' where customers feel they belong.
Chadderton Town Hall will host its first wedding fair on Sunday 25 January 2026 from 11am-3pm. Couples attending and completing feedback forms will enter a free draw to win their wedding ceremony at the venue. The fair features over 20 exhibitors including florists, photographers, wedding cars, and cakes. Springhill Hospice will attend with donated wedding attire including bridal wear, suits, and bridesmaids' dresses available to try on and purchase at reduced prices. Registrars will be present to showcase the staircase, Oak Room, and Green Room, and to discuss ceremony bookings and legal requirements. Entry and parking are free, with goody bags for the first 100 couples. To book, email [email protected].
Oldham Council has opened a new community growing hub at Berries Field Park in Chadderton, led by Councillor Abdul Jabbar MBE and delivered by Willmott Dixon. The £38,000 project includes a polytunnel, timber planters, and accessible pathways, funded through donations and 140 hours of volunteer work. The hub aims to give residents, especially women, safe spaces to grow food and herbs while building community links. Partners including Wright Landscapes, Faber Joinery, and Rose Scaffolding donated materials and time. The hub is now open to all and complements the existing park.