The Old Bulls Head pub on Rochdale Road in Shaw, run by David and Andrea Smith since 2024, has implemented a unique 'no technology' rule banning phones and laptops. Despite being described as 'old fashioned' by Andrea Smith, 57, the pub is attracting young people and couples who appreciate its social atmosphere where customers make new friends. The pub, part of Samuel Smith's Brewery, offers activities including pool, darts, weekly quizzes, and special event nights. Taddy's lager is the most popular drink, though a stout is receiving praise as better than Guinness. The pub recently moved its pool table to a larger tap room to enhance sociability.
Residents in the OL2 8EJ postcode area of Shaw, Oldham, celebrated after winning £1,000 in the People's Postcode Lottery daily draw on April 7, 2026. The postcode covers properties on Oak Street near Oldham town centre. Players pay £12.25 monthly to enter every daily draw. The lottery supports UK charities, with at least 30% of ticket prices going to good causes. Nationally, the People's Postcode Lottery has raised over £1.5 billion for organisations and projects across the country.
The Park Inn pub on Buckstones Road in Shaw, Oldham, has a new landlord Steve Hastie who took over in September 2026. The 45-year-old previously worked in pubs and as a delivery driver. Hastie plans summer renovations including new decor, pool table, and darts board with camera. The pub attracts diverse customers including walkers from nearby Crompton Moor, couples, and pool players. Food service will continue with a new chef focusing on traditional pub fare at good prices. The pub currently serves Timothy Taylor's Golden Best and various lagers, with Carling being most popular. Hastie acknowledges the challenging pub industry but aims to maintain The Park Inn as a community hub.
A four-bedroom detached dormer bungalow on Brellafield Drive in Shaw has been listed for £500,000 by Cornerstone Estates and Lettings. The property overlooks Crompton Park and features an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with bifold doors leading to an Indian stone patio. The ground floor includes two double bedrooms, one used as a music room or home office, while upstairs offers two further double bedrooms with dual-aspect windows and a modern family bathroom. The home includes an integral garage with utility area, driveway parking, and uninterrupted countryside views.
A Covid memorial in Shaw town centre has been vandalised for the second time in under a year. The engraved stone, tree, and bench installed in 2020 to honour NHS staff and key workers were discovered smashed on March 9, 2026, a day after Covid-19 Day of Reflection. Local councillor Louie Hamblett found the commemorative stone destroyed. This follows a similar attack last year when vandals wrecked the stone, uprooted the tree, and spraypainted the bench, costing Shaw and Crompton Town Council £1,200 in repairs. Councillor Marc Hince compared the memorial to a war cenotaph and said the council plans to erect a new plaque in Shaw's new community hall once a lease is secured at the Lifelong Learning Centre.
An after-school club called Squirrels at St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, has been inspected by Ofsted and received 'expected standard' ratings across four key areas. The January inspection found children develop 'can-do' attitudes, show confidence, and build secure relationships with staff. Children eagerly engage in activities and proudly display their artwork. The report praised the nurturing environment where children feel safe and behave well. Headteacher Pam Hartley welcomed the recognition of the club's high-quality care. Ofsted recommended enhancing daily routines to strengthen independence skills and targeting professional development more precisely for staff.
Steve Hill MBE, deputy headteacher at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, has been named among the UK's 100 most influential people for 2026. The recognition comes from the Top 100 Influential People 2026 list, which highlights individuals excelling in education, health, business, sport and other fields. Hill is known for extreme fundraising challenges including running five consecutive marathons in Mongolia and hiking volcanoes in Central America. His Team Hill Charitable Trust recently collected Easter Eggs for Oldham's Young Carers and funded a water well in Uganda. Upcoming challenges include hauling a pulk sled across Svalbard's frozen wilderness and running the Uganda Marathon for the eighth time.
A four-bedroom detached family home on Millbrook Close in Clough, Shaw, has been listed for £425,000 by Cornerstone Estates & Lettings Ltd. The property features an entrance hall, spacious lounge with dual aspect windows, and a newly-fitted white gloss kitchen with granite worktops and integrated appliances. Upstairs includes four bedrooms, with the master having fitted wardrobes and an ensuite shower room concealed behind wardrobe doors. The home has well-maintained front and rear gardens, a driveway, and an integral garage with front and rear access. Located in a peaceful cul-de-sac, the property is close to local schools, shops, amenities, and the Metrolink station. The home is leasehold with 671 years remaining.
A GP surgery in Shaw is changing how patients order prescriptions from May 1, requiring online ordering through Patient Access, NHS app, or the practice website. The Oak Gables Partnership at Shaw and Crompton Medical Centre announced that patients can no longer order through pharmacies or by phone. The practice says this is a national NHS England initiative and they are contacting vulnerable patients individually. A spokesperson stated they will not leave any patients behind and are holding NHS App education sessions. Many community members expressed concern that elderly patients who cannot use computers or the internet will struggle with the new system.
Shaw and Crompton Working Men's Club, known locally as Cartshaft, has raised prices due to rising costs including a £11,000 increase in beer and spirits, doubled business rates for three consecutive years, and significantly higher utility bills. Secretary Tommy Birch, who has worked there for nearly a decade, said the club hasn't made a profit in two years but remains committed to providing a 'safe space' for members. The club faces competition from larger hospitality brands but maintains a strong community feel with regular events like hoedowns and cheese and pickle days. It also hosts sports teams and the Shaw and Crompton Veterans group. The club charges £50 for function room hire (£40 for members) and seeks more local community support to continue operating.