Month: February 2026
“Residents are on their knees”: Altrincham to face 7.49% council tax rise
Altrincham residents could face a 7.49 per cent increase in council tax after the government approved funding. The finance chiefs of Trafford Council were forced to ask for extra support following the government’s recent Fair Funding Review, which left the borough with a budget deficit of £24m. The rise could mean that Trafford Council will […]
Former Bolton Council employee jailed after theft of nearly £900,000 from client accounts
A former council employee has been jailed following the theft of nearly £900,000 from council accounts. Richard Shaw, of Harrier Close, Bolton, transferred £893,296 to himself from the accounts of benefit claimants’ held by Bolton Council between 2015 and 2023. Greater Manchester Police estimate that Richard Shaw’s failure to act in the best interest of […]
Work starts on housing project for people with learning disabilities in Stockport
The new housing development will see the processing of Bredbury Civic Hall and will provide 12 new homes for people with learning disabilities on the derelict site. The scheme, delivered by MSV Housing Group, will offer purpose-built energy-efficient homes aiming to help new residents live independently with the support they need, while bringing a long-disused […]
150 cannabis plants seized in early morning Withington police raid
Manchester South Neighbourhood Policing Team seized 150 cannabis plants following a warrant on Goldborne Avenue, Old Moat. Officers carried out the raid on the house on the 17th February following intelligence from the community. No arrests were made, but 150 cannabis plants were taken away for testing. PC Sean McDonald said: “We received a number […]
The Magic of Macclesfield: Rob Smethurst on taking The Silkmen from ruin to Round Four
Ahead of Macclesfield’s mammoth Monday night FA Cup tie against Brentford, owner Rob Smethurst reflects on his club’s dramatic defeat of holders Crystal Palace, and how an impulse purchase helped him turn his life around. “I just couldn’t contain myself.” To the naked eye, Rob Smethurst taking over Macclesfield could have spelled disaster. A club […]
Both Manchester clubs are leading the Women’s Super League table: will this be the season they both qualify for Europe?
If you’ve taken a look at the Women’s Super League table in the last two weeks, you’ll have noticed that both Manchester clubs are leading the pack. Manchester City have an eight-point cushion at the top, with Manchester United in second on 31 points. Although it is only February, could this possibly be the season […]
Salford’s Snooker Star: John Virgo’s famous connections and local memories
John Virgo, 79, passed away a week today, on January 5th 2026, in Spain after suffering from a ruptured aorta in the early hours of the morning. The snooker player and commentator was born and raised locally in Salford, where his father, William, was a dockyard crane driver and his mother, Florence, worked as a […]
81-year-old woman conned into buying £5,000 gift cards
An elderly woman from Greater Manchester was targeted into buying £5,000 gift cards from a man she believed was a well-known singer. The 81-year-old woman was first contacted on Facebook by an individual claiming to be linked to a celebrity. The conversation moved to Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. Over several months, the woman was persuaded into buying gift cards, believing that the payments would […]
Premier League With Pride: The Manchester Supporter’s group bringing inclusivity to fandom.
“It’s important, people need to have a safe space amongst members of their own community.” Eric Najib established Rainbow Devils, Manchester United’s officially recognised LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, in 2019. Since then, the group has grown to over 2,000 members, appeared at Manchester pride events, and been given a permanent banner on the hoardings at Old […]
“It has changed from what it used to be”, shoplifting and personal robbery drops in Stockport.
Retailers feel safer in Stockport, due to a decrease in shoplifting and theft. A press release from Greater Manchester police shows that personal theft has decreased by 34%, shoplifting by 10% and personal robbery by 18% over the past three years. Shafaq, who runs the SS3 Boutique in the Merseyway shopping centre said: “It has […]