A 48-year-old man was found dead at a property on Higginshaw Lane in Royton on Sunday, March 8, after emergency services responded to a welfare concern at 10:23am. Police arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of murder and held him in custody for questioning. Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed the suspect has been bailed pending further enquiries, with the investigation still ongoing. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith stated the incident is believed to be isolated and poses no wider threat to the public. Police have increased their presence in the area while conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Oldham Council's planning committee will reconsider a proposal to convert a semi-detached home on Kevin Avenue, Royton, into a six-person HMO. The application, which includes a first-floor extension, was deferred last month due to parking permit concerns. The property owner is directly related to Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council. The proposal received nearly 40 online objections and a 59-signature petition citing parking, noise, and service impact concerns. Planning officers recommend approval, stating the property would receive two visitor parking permits plus driveway parking. The decision meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
A 48-year-old man was found dead at a property on Higginshaw Lane in Royton at 10:23am on March 8, 2026. Emergency services including police and paramedics attended the scene but the man was pronounced dead. A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team is conducting extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith stated the incident is believed to be isolated with no wider threat to the public. An increased police presence remains in the area whilst investigations continue.
A 49-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 48-year-old man found dead at a flat in Royton, Oldham. Police responded to a 'concern for welfare' call at 10:30am on Sunday morning at the corner of Salmon Fields and Higginshaw Lane. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the scene, with an officer standing guard outside a block of flats. Greater Manchester Police say enquiries are ongoing and 'all lines of enquiry cannot be ruled out at this time'. Detective Inspector Rachel Smith described it as an 'isolated incident' with no wider threat to the public.
A 49-year-old man was found dead at a block of flats on Higginshaw Lane in Royton, Oldham on Sunday morning. Greater Manchester Police responded to a 'concern for welfare' call at 10:23am and emergency services attended the scene. The man was declared deceased at the location. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the property with an officer standing guard. Police have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The man has not been named and no further details have been revealed by police.
Police launched an investigation after a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at a property in Royton, Oldham on Sunday morning. Emergency services responded to reports of a concern for welfare at an address on Higginshaw Lane shortly before 10.30am. The man was declared deceased at the scene. Forensic investigators and detectives were photographed at the scene on Sunday morning, with an officer standing guard outside a block of flats. An ambulance was also present at the corner of Salmon Fields and Higginshaw Lane. Greater Manchester Police said enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident were ongoing. No further details have been revealed and the man has not been named.
The Haggate pub in Royton has been taken over by Jamielee Conway and her daughter Shauna, along with Jamielee's husband Matthew, since October last year. The family-run pub has become a community hub offering themed nights including tapas, football, and family movie afternoons. They serve homemade pub classics like pies, burgers, and breakfasts, with Manchester Pale Ale as their best-selling beer. The pub hosts regular events such as Sunday bingo, quiz nights, and Grand National days. Despite industry challenges with rising costs, the team maintains affordable deals like Pie & Pint specials and keeps the traditional pub feel while adding new events.
Amber Owens, 32, from Royton, Oldham, suffered months of migraines before an optician discovered swollen optic nerves indicating a brain blood clot. Optometrist Tahira Rahman at Specsavers Royton identified the swelling as 'textbook' case of serious brain issue. Amber was diagnosed with blood clot and underwent six weeks of treatment at Salford Royal Hospital, including brain surgeries and procedures. She now has a permanent shunt in her brain and has lost senses of taste and smell. The former child carer can no longer work due to her health problems.
Oldham Council has removed an unpopular element from its Royton town centre improvement plans after public consultation. The original proposals included removing certain pedestrian guard rails, but residents raised concerns about this decision. Following discussions between Oldham Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and MP Jim McMahon, the guard rails will remain in place in areas recommended by a coroner following past fatalities. The Royton town centre scheme is part of the wider Royton-Oldham-Ashton Quality Bus Transit corridor project, funded by the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. Construction is set to begin next week.
Co-op Royton manager Darren Ramsden has issued a statement addressing customer frustration over parking fines issued in electric vehicle charging bays that are not yet operational. The car park is now managed by a London-based landlord who has installed ANPR monitoring and is enforcing parking independently. Previously, store management could help cancel fines in exceptional circumstances, but this is no longer possible due to changed management arrangements. The manager said he is actively raising concerns with the landlord and seeking resolution, while asking customers to direct dissatisfaction appropriately as the matter is outside store control.
Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester are proceeding with Royton town centre improvements after addressing safety concerns raised by MP Jim McMahon and residents. The scheme, part of the Rochdale-Oldham-Ashton corridor improvements funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, will retain guardrails in areas recommended by a coroner following past fatalities. Construction is expected to start next week, bringing wider pavements, safer crossings, better bus access, improved lighting, seating, and new planting. The project aims to improve bus reliability, make walking and wheeling easier and safer, and support local businesses.
Kerry Keenan switched from call centre work to childminding 12 years ago when her youngest daughter was born. She runs Kerry Keenan Childminding Service with friend Michelle Dixon, caring for children aged 4 months to 11 years. The service offers wraparound care before and after school. One child has been with Ms Keenan since four months old and is now starting high school. Councillor Shaid Mushtaq praised early years workers for changing children's lives.
John Heywood, 56, of Plumpton Close, Royton, was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Manchester Crown Court on February 24, 2026, for stalking a female police constable. The victim stated she had to change her daily routine, take taxis to work, and experienced severe mental health impacts including sleep difficulties and constant fear. She described Heywood as 'everywhere I turn' and expressed distress knowing he had photographs of her on his phone. Judge Alan Conrad KC noted Heywood remained in denial about his actions and had lost his mother while in custody. A restraining order and deprivation order for his phone were granted, along with a statutory surcharge payment.
The Halfway House pub in Royton has been named Pub of the Week after transforming from a struggling establishment to an award-winning community hub. Landlord Vinnie Caira took over seven years ago and completely refurbished the pub, with his daughter Vikki joining eight months later as restaurant manager. The pub now employs up to 12 staff during daytime hours and has won awards including JW Lees Pub of the Year in 2022 and Charity Champion in 2025. Head chef Connor Thwaite leads the kitchen specialising in pub classics and weekend specials. The pub raises over £10,000 annually for Dr Kershaw's hospice and hosts weekly Friends to You meetings for lonely residents.
Heyside Plastics, based in Royton, Oldham, has partnered with University of Salford robotics student Enoch Adediran for a three-month digital transformation internship. The 28-year-old student worked hands-on in production environments, applying automation concepts and digital tools to real-world manufacturing challenges. The internship was delivered through Made Smarter North West, a government-backed programme supporting SME manufacturers with digital transformation. Business executive Garreth Brown said Enoch helped fill a vital skills gap and fast-tracked the company's digital roadmap. Since 2019, Made Smarter has supported over 2,500 manufacturers across the North West with digital advice, technology adoption, and funded projects.
A four-bedroom detached period property built in 1914 on Dogford Road, Royton, has been listed for £475,000. The three-storey home includes three reception rooms, two bathrooms, and attic rooms. Estate agents Alistair Stevens describe it as an extended period property with open-plan kitchen/diner, conservatory, and additional guest sitting room. The house features original details including a glazed front door with lead lights, a feature fireplace, and coving. Gardens surround three sides, with driveway and integral garage beneath a mezzanine guest room. The property is close to Royton town centre, local schools, amenities, and transport links.
Popeyes is set to open its Oldham restaurant at Elk Mill Retail Park on February 27, 2026, in the former Pizza Hut building. The Louisiana-style chicken chain has reclad the building in blue, orange and white brand colours and installed signage visible from Broadway. The restaurant will offer dine-in and takeaway options featuring halal-certified chicken marinated for 12 hours in Louisiana seasoning. First-day customers can win prizes including free deluxe chicken sandwiches for a year, with the first 50 receiving exclusive merchandise and the first 100 getting a free sandwich. The opening follows successful launches in Greater Manchester, with CEO Tom Crowley noting strong regional demand.
A £13 electric shoe warmer purchased on TikTok ignited in an Oldham garage, causing £200,000 in damage to Kaela Rigg's five-bedroom detached home on January 12. The 46-year-old mum detected a burning smell while dropping off shopping, discovered smoke billowing from her garage, and evacuated with her dog before firefighters arrived within 10 minutes. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the device, used to dry her son's rugby boots, was plugged in but hadn't been used for two weeks when it unexpectedly burst into flames. The family is staying with Kaela's 75-year-old mother while repairs take approximately 12 months.
Forty families from Heyside Pre-School and Blackshaw Lane Primary School participated in a Christmas literacy event as part of Oldham Council's 'Making It REAL' programme. The event featured festive activities including reading Christmas books, making cards and decorations, and drawing festive images. The programme, based on research from the University of Sheffield, aims to create positive home learning environments and has engaged 130 children across 17 schools in Oldham. Parents reported improved engagement and literacy development in their children, while staff highlighted strengthened community links between schools.