Residents on Whitegate Avenue, Chadderton, near Junction 21 of the M60, celebrated after their postcode OL9 8AH was selected in the People's Postcode Lottery daily draw on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The lottery awards £1,000 to randomly drawn postcodes each day. Players pay £12.25 monthly to enter every draw. The lottery supports UK charities, with at least 30% of ticket prices going to charitable causes. Nationally, the People's Postcode Lottery has raised over £1.5 billion for organisations and projects across the country.
Chadderton has been awarded £20 million through the government's Pride in Place scheme to fund a decade-long regeneration programme. The first four years will focus on business and community grants, new CCTV, upgraded crossings, and restoring historic Foxdenton Hall. The project was developed by the Chadderton Neighbourhood Board through community workshops and surveys. Council leader Arooj Shah said the investment shows confidence in Oldham, while MP Jim McMahon welcomed the community-led approach. The board, chaired by Action Together's Laura Windsor-Welsh, will continue gathering public feedback via email.
An inquest into the death of 63-year-old Yvan Davies from Oldham has been abandoned after police requested to make further inquiries. Mr Davies died in April 2023 when part of a granulator machine nicknamed 'the dinosaur' malfunctioned at Fothergill Polycom Ltd in Chadderton. He was found injured with part of the machine on top of him days after repairs were carried out. The jury inquest, which had already sat through two days of evidence, was dismissed by Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley. Mr Davies' partner Amanda Bartholomew told the court their family hasn't been the same since his death. The coroner said she would provide an update in around six weeks.
Gloria McKinley, 84, known as 'Mama Norma', has been honoured by First Choice Homes Oldham for her volunteering work with Support and Action for Women's Network (SAWN) in Chadderton. Mrs McKinley has cleaned donated furniture and household items since 2016, helping prepare them for sale at low cost or free distribution to those in hardship. She was nominated by SAWN's Audrey Murphy and received a Hidden Hero certificate and £50 shopping voucher from FCHO's Zack Grimes. The retired factory worker said she volunteers to stay active and feels the charity helps her as much as she helps it.
National Highways will carry out essential road works on A663 Broadway in Oldham between A627M Chadderton roundabout and M60 Junction 21. The overnight closures will run from 9pm to 6am between March 23 and May 21, 2026. Works include new road markings and studs, with signed diversions in place. Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained. The closures follow earlier northbound works by United Utilities and National Highways from March 9-23.
A new 19-acre linear park has opened on Foxdenton Lane in Chadderton as part of the Broadway Green development. The park features a playground designed to blend with natural surroundings, footpaths, viewpoints, newly planted trees, shrubs, and wildflower meadows. Construction began in February 2024, and the park sits alongside a housing development where 500 new homes are being built, including 180 affordable units. The development also includes 600,000 square feet of commercial space. Councillor Elaine Taylor praised the park as a beautiful space for families and children to enjoy for generations. Residents have welcomed the addition, with some suggesting improvements like adding a bin.
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.
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 major crash closed Broadway in Chadderton both directions on March 17, 2026, after 6pm. Emergency services responded to a collision involving three vehicles near Elk Mill roundabout. An air ambulance was called to the scene. Traffic built up between Elk Mill roundabout and Netherhey Lane. Fire crews from Chadderton, Oldham, and Ashton attended. Police urged motorists to avoid the area. Some buses to Manchester City match were delayed. Multiple damaged cars were visible at the Elk Mill Shopping Park junction.
A parent claims their son and his friend were attacked on Wash Lane in Chadderton on March 16 between 4.10pm and 4.30pm. The alleged incident occurred under the Metrolink bridge halfway up the road. The parent described the attacker as a white man in his early 20s and called it an unprovoked attack. The claim was posted anonymously on Facebook's Spotted Oldham page at 7.30am on March 17. Greater Manchester Police said they have no record of the incident being reported.
Women from various professions gathered in Chadderton for an International Women's Day event organized by the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub. The event at Ram Mill Business Centre featured networking, panel discussions, and exhibitions centered on the UN's 2026 theme of 'balancing the scales'. Speakers included Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah, who discussed challenges women face in leadership roles, and Janine Smith, director of the Business Growth Hub. The panel addressed issues including digital safety, social media impacts, and education. Representatives from organizations like Recondition, The Pankhurst Trust, and Smart Works attended the event.
Newman RC College in Oldham reopened Monday March 16 after a fire broke out in a science lab on Wednesday March 11. Three fire engines from Oldham, Hollins and Chadderton stations responded at 1.50pm to extinguish a wooden work bench fire using one hose reel. Headteacher Kerry Phillips confirmed detailed safety inspections by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and specialist contractors deemed the building safe. Ten affected classrooms passed checks and will be ready for use, while one science lab where the fire began remains closed for specialist repairs. Cosmetic work including ceiling and carpet tile replacement will be completed during Easter holidays.
A fire broke out at Newman RC College in Oldham on Wednesday, March 11, causing the school to close. The blaze occurred in a science laboratory around 1.50pm, involving a wooden work bench. Three fire engines from Oldham, Hollins, and Chadderton attended the scene. Students and staff were safely evacuated, with headteacher Kerry Phillips praising their calm response. Fire suppression systems activated quickly, preventing further spread. The college will remain closed on Friday, March 13, with pupils attending remote learning while safety checks are completed.
Plans to close Chadderton Hall Park Day Care in Oldham were announced last month, prompting intervention from MP Jim McMahon and a pause in closure proceedings. Relatives of service users, including Amanda Shelley whose brother Mark Hilton has attended for over 20 years, feel 'left hanging' as uncertainty continues. The council-led provider MioCare is conducting 'meaningful conversations' with stakeholders, but no timescale has been provided. The centre offers unique activities like woodworking and cookery classes that aren't available at traditional day centres. With no new members in 10 years, relatives argue the centre deserves support rather than closure, while families struggle to find suitable alternatives.
The northbound A663 Broadway in Chadderton will close for sewer repairs between Middleton Road (A669) and Chadderton Roundabout from March 9 to 23. United Utilities is coordinating the work with Oldham Council and National Highways to minimise disruption. Southbound carriageway resurfacing will take place overnight starting week commencing March 23. Further details will be shared on National Highways' website. More information is available at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/north-west-maintenance-schemes.
Popeyes, the Louisiana fried chicken restaurant chain, opened its first Oldham location at Elk Mill Shopping Park on February 27, 2026. The restaurant took over the former Pizza Hut space and attracted crowds for a launch day promotion offering a year's supply of chicken. The 8am-11pm daily restaurant features New Orleans-style music, orange and turquoise fittings, and offers ordering screens with collection hatches. Menu items sampled included a deluxe burger with freshly marinated pickles, cajun and ranch wraps, mac and cheese, smokey beans, and gravy. The restaurant's signature 'shatter' coating on chicken was highlighted as a key selling point.
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.