The Jayne Barnes School of Dance in Oldham is preparing for a trip to Disneyland Paris in June, where 13 of its 60 dancers will perform a 20-minute show inspired by Mary Poppins and Toy Story. Teacher Rachel Riley said the trip is special as most dancers have never been to Disneyland before. The school previously performed at Disneyland in 2018 in front of 6,000 people. The trip is being organised with Perform in the Magic, an official Disney Performing Arts partner, and includes 30 people total including parents and teachers.
New FOI data shows Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust, which runs Royal Oldham Hospital, saw 9,608 patients wait 24 hours or more in A&E during 2025, up 25% from 7,651 the previous year. The longest wait was 146 hours (6.1 days). Councillor Howard Sykes, who requested the data, called the situation 'spiralling out of control' and urged government action, including a wait time guarantee. The trust declined to comment. Nationally, only Liverpool's University Hospital trust had worse figures. The Department of Health said winter preparations have improved most A&E times but acknowledged 'a long way to go' to cut the longest waits.
Kerry Keenan, a mother of two from Oldham, left her call centre job 12 years ago to become a childminder after struggling to balance work with family life. She established Kerry Keenan Childminding Service and now works alongside friend Michelle Dixon, caring for children aged four months to 11 years. The pair provide wraparound care and have built strong relationships with local families. As part of Oldham Council's 'Do Something Big' campaign, Kerry is encouraging others to consider early years careers, highlighting the job satisfaction and community impact of working with young children.
Drivers have slammed the 'horrendous' impact of the Manchester Street roundabout closure in Oldham town centre, which has been shut since Monday following a crash that damaged traffic signal controllers and power supply. The closure, set to last until February 25, has caused severe traffic delays with one driver reporting a journey from Oldham Mumps to Civic Centre taking 75 minutes instead of the usual 8 minutes. Road users claim there has been a lack of warning signage, though Oldham Council insists signed diversion routes are in place. Cllr Chris Goodwin said emergency repairs are underway following the February 20 collision, with engineers working around the clock to complete the essential safety works.
Greater Manchester Police have arrested five men as part of Operation Sherwood investigating historic child sexual exploitation in Oldham. The arrests include a 43-year-old and 53-year-old man arrested on January 22 on suspicion of facilitating child sexual offences and conspiracy to commit sexual offences, and a 40-year-old man arrested on suspicion of rape. Two additional men aged 45 and 39 were arrested on February 4 on suspicion of arranging child sexual offences and rape of a female under 16. All five men have been bailed with strict conditions. The arrests bring the total number of arrests in Operation Sherwood to 27 since its launch in 2022.
The TravelSafe Partnership provides safety measures across Greater Manchester's public transport network, including Oldham. Passengers can report incidents discreetly using TravelSafe LiveChat or by calling 101, or 999 in emergencies. The partnership deploys over 15,000 hours weekly of patrols across Metrolink and bus networks, operates 24/7 control rooms monitoring 3,800+ CCTV cameras, and equips all trams with CCTV. Emergency call points are available at all 99 Metrolink stops and onboard trams. Passengers are urged to keep belongings secure, remain vigilant, and report suspicious behaviour such as unattended bags or unusual photography of security arrangements.
Oldham's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On returns Saturday 15 November 2025 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm outside the Old Town Hall. The free event features performances from Fierce Dance, Oldham Coliseum's 'A Christmas Fair', Beauty and the Beast panto cast, Ollie & Millie, Rodney the Reindeer, and Frank Rothwell. Father Christmas will appear alongside Bluey and Bingo in the Market Hall from 2pm. The evening concludes with the official light switch-on and Christmas-themed fireworks. One child can win the chance to press the button by entering at oldham.gov.uk/push_the_button before 12 November. Additional Saturday entertainment runs 22 November to 13 December, 12noon-4pm.
Oldham has secured £31.5 million from Greater Manchester's Good Growth Fund for the Prince's Gate development, delivering 331 new homes including 75 social housing units next to Oldham Mumps station. This forms part of a wider plan to create 2,000 new homes across Oldham town centre over the next decade. The investment is part of the first £400m allocation from the £1bn GM Good Growth Fund, which will unlock nearly 3,000 homes, 22,000 jobs and 2 million square feet of employment space across Greater Manchester. The Prince's Gate car park has closed to enable construction starting later this year.
Oldham Council is hosting Festive Saturdays, a series of free family events in Oldham town centre across four weekends from November 22 to December 13, 2025. The events run from 12-4pm each Saturday and include Victorian Christmas on November 22, Festive Feast on November 29, Winter Wonderland on December 6, and Santa's Workshop on December 13. Santa's Grotto will be available at the Market Hall from 12-4pm on all event dates. Dr Kershaw's Hospice will also run Santa's Grotto at Spindles from November 28 to Christmas Eve, with bookings via SantaBooker. Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said the events aim to bring extra magic to the town centre, offer free entertainment, support local businesses, and celebrate the season together.
Oldham Council is bringing extra festive cheer to the town centre this winter with Festive Saturdays, a series of free family events running across four weekends from late November to mid December. The annual Christmas Lights Switch-On Show will return on Saturday 15 November, transforming Oldham town centre into a festive wonderland. Tommyfield Market traders have requested to move into the new market, located in the revamped Spindles, in the new year. A much-loved Glodwick building is set for a new chapter as the refurbished Marlborough Centre officially reopens under the management of local boxing organisation, NxtGen Boxing. Councillors from Oldham Council joined young people, families and community members to celebrate 17 years of Outta Skool at its annual awards ceremony.
Oldham Council has awarded £266,000 in grants to 25 local businesses to improve shop fronts in the town centre. The funding is part of broader council initiatives, including a £20 million growth injection announced in March 2025 that will benefit culture, sport, education, housing, and businesses across the borough. The council's finances are recovering after 14 years of central government cuts. Additionally, Oldham has pledged to become one of the UK's most inclusive digital towns, with dedicated hubs planned across public spaces to provide digital support for residents.
Oldham's Illuminate Festival took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, bringing 'joy and energy' to the town centre despite cold and rainy weather. The annual event featured street performers, giant puppets, live music, and impressive light installations across multiple locations including the Old Town Hall, Gallery Oldham, Oldham Library, and Oldham Parish Church. A highlight was the transformation of the Old Town Hall with projected artwork based on the story of the Indian Roller Bird and the Queen Honey Bee. Residents praised the event online, with many calling it the best Illuminate parade to date.
The Egyptian Room food hall in Oldham opened over a year ago in the restored Old Town Hall building. Despite its Victorian grandeur and five food traders including Ply, Tuk Tuk, The Famous Sumo, Smash n Dunk, and Seacoles, the venue faces low footfall issues. During a Tuesday afternoon visit, only four traders were open with around five tables occupied. The Eatery Bakery left after six months citing insufficient footfall. Local residents interviewed said they rarely visit, preferring Manchester or other Oldham establishments like Nando's, Green Room cafe, German Doner Kebab, or Fox and Pine pub. The venue offers lunchtime deals and evening entertainment, operating Tuesday-Saturday 9am-11pm and Sunday 9am-8pm.
Oldham Council has closed London Road between Yates Street and Frances Street, and Sydenham Street near its junction with London Road, for up to 10 weeks starting February 16, 2026. The closures allow for new drainage connections. Alternative routes are via Sydenham Street, Stoneleigh Street, Westminster Street to the east, and Fontwell Lane, Acre Lane, Yates Street, and Cheltenham Street to the west. The order can be inspected at Spindles Oldham between 8.40am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Oldham's Illuminate Light Night returns for its ninth year on Saturday 21 February 2026, transforming the town centre with free light art, performances, and installations from 6pm to 9pm. The event features over 15 installations including Sentinel by Studio Vertigo, Illumaphonium's interactive musical sculpture, and The Relic of Mirchwood Forest by Laura Spark. Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah encourages residents to attend this free celebration showcasing local creativity. The route is fully accessible and suitable for all ages, with free parking available at council-managed car parks for up to three hours on weekends.
Oldham Council must cut £8m from its budget to address a £20m shortfall, despite government funding changes. Proposed cuts include axing 13 managerial posts (£1.3m), reducing youth centre funding by £100k, closing a £150k day care service for disabled adults, restructuring waste collection to save £350k, and charging homeless families a 'fair share' for temporary accommodation. Care workers will receive £13.10/hour instead of the planned £13.45/hour, saving £2.456m. The council faces high demand in adult social care (£8.9m), children's services (£5.4m), and temporary accommodation (£4.563m).
Oldham Council's Cllr Peter Dean is encouraging residents to rediscover their local libraries in 2026, designated as the National Year of Reading by The National Literacy Trust. Oldham has 12 libraries across the borough, including the central library in Oldham's Cultural Quarter and recently refurbished Northmoor Library in Coldhurst. The central library, which attracts 900,000 visitors annually, was highly commended in the British Book Awards and was a finalist in the North England regional award. Libraries are free to join and offer various services including physical books, digital borrowing through the Borrowbox app, and community groups like Knit and Natter. The National Year of Reading includes events such as author talks, World Book Night celebrations, and the Summer Reading Challenge.
Oldham Council has awarded £266,000 in grants to 25 local businesses to improve shop fronts in the town centre. The Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme, funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Local Growth and Place Flexible Grants Programme, targets areas including Union Street, Yorkshire Street, Henshaw Street and George Street. Leader Cllr Arooj Shah met with grant recipients including Pennine Mencap and Tymbuktu Health and Beauty Clinic to celebrate the investment. The scheme aims to enhance the visitor experience and support independent businesses as part of Oldham's high street revitalisation efforts.
Oldham Council has launched the Stepping Forward fostering campaign, a first for Greater Manchester, to help children in residential care move into loving family homes. The initiative matches children with specialist foster carers who receive training and support, with carers coming from diverse professional backgrounds including residential work, policing, nursing, and education. Jo became Oldham's first Stepping Forward foster carer and has successfully welcomed a second child into her home, where both children have bonded and are thriving. The campaign offers carers a financial package of over £75,000 annually and seeks resilient individuals who can provide stability and encouragement to vulnerable young people.
Oldham Police are increasing patrols in the town centre this winter to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour. Sergeant Graham Craven leads the Oldham Town Centre and Retail Crime Team as part of Greater Manchester Police's Operation North Star. Nine student officers, including PC Ryan Homer who has been on the beat for 15 weeks, are joining regular patrols. The Safer Town Centre plan involves Oldham Council working with police and partners. CCTV monitors the town centre with direct radio links to businesses. Cllr Elaine Taylor praised the officers' dedication to keeping the community safe during the busy festive period.