Your Local Independent 193

Page 2 April 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD Tel 01204 478812 EDITOR : Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US GREATER Manchester Police’s force-wide monthly blitz on local crime returned to Rochdale last month leading to 40 arrests. The one-day operation, which runs in a different district every month, also saw two cannabis farms uncovered and more than £50,000 in assets seized. In a statement, GMP said: “From an early morning briefing at Heywood Sports Village to scheduled warrants in Heywood, Middleton and central Roch- dale as the spring sun rose, over 20 arrests were made by 9am for a variety of offences included suspects linked to potential firearms that were uncovered and sophisticated cannabis farm setups linked to extensive drugs supply. “As the day progressed, a traffic operation from our Roads Policing Unit was conducted on Queensway, with other specialist operations resources, including the Mounted Unit in the town centre providing high-visibil- ity reassurance. “Knife arches and patrols were deployed to key locations on the Bee Network tram line as well as the Inter- change linked to intelligence and previ- ous reports, which including identifying a suspect who was wanted on recall.” Other operations took place around the sales of illegal vapes and money laundering as well as the use of off- road bikes as part of an ongoing crackdown on anti-social behaviour on the moorland. Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis said: “The enforcement day of action is our way of showing clearly what we do on a regular basis to keep Rochdale and our local areas safe. “We are always dependent on infor- mation from our communities and helps shape what really matters in terms of being able to tackle head-on key concerns. “Supported by the wider force resources we have once again shown the day to be a success and provide a real impact in our ongoing enquiries to bring offenders to justice.” ROCHDALE has been awarded £750,000 in ‘Place Partnership’ funding fromArts Council Eng- land to fund a series of major cultural initiatives. The cash has been secured by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of the Borough Cultural Compact, a collective of arts and cultural organisations which collaborate to grow the sector and enhance its impact. The RDA says the “significant investment” reflects Arts Council England’s commitment to encour- aging cultural development in its priority places and “will play a key role in enhancing the borough’s thriving arts and cultural scene”. The funds will be used to inte- grate arts and culture into local communities, driving economic growth and enriching the quality of life for residents. Key areas include children and young people, skills and business development, audience and mar- ket expansion, inward investment, and placemaking. A significant portion of the fund- ing will go towards community arts engagement, with the aim of increasing participation in the arts through high-quality, accessi- ble programmes. An RDA spokesperson said: “These initiatives will foster cre- ativity, support mental health and well-being, and engage diverse community groups. Partnerships with local schools, health providers, and community organisations will ensure that the benefits of arts and culture are widely shared. “Investment will also be directed toward the creation and enhance- ment of creative workspaces by transforming underused town cen- tre buildings into co-working areas for digital and creative industries. “These spaces will serve as hubs for artistic innovation, providing resources and support for both emerging and established artists and cultural practitioners.” The investment includes a Young Producers scheme to be deliv- ered in Rochdale and Heywood THE owners of a growing chain of cof- fee shops in the North West, say they’re com- mitted to expanding their business on the rail network. Since opening the first Le Feast outlet in May 2011 in a former broom cupboard at their home town station of Poulton- le-Fylde, Jason Cotil- lard and Jeremy Clark’s business has expanded to three other locations, including Rochdale. The business currently employs 25 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £1.5million and has plans to open more branches in rail stations. Every year, across the four outlets, it serves 150,000 hot drinks, pre- pare 25,000 sandwiches and dish out 15,000 slices of cake. Le Feast prides itself on its use of local suppliers, including Brid’s Cross ROCHDALE Riverside has celebrated the fifth anniversary of its opening as it continues to go from strength to strength Opening in 2020, amidst the chal- lenges of the Covid outbreak, the shopping and leisure hub has attracted top brands and food hotspots, with thousandsofpeoplevisitingeveryweek Two big-name brands, Holland & Barrett and Taco Bell, have recently opened outlets there, while Greggs has upsized its store. And with just one unit left avail- able, Rochdale Riverside is home to M&S, Next, H&M, River Island, Boots, JD Sports and more, alongside leisure favourites Reel Cinema and Putt & Play fromHollywood Bowl. To celebrate its fifth birthday, the venue held a party on April 5 for visi- tors, with a host of stalls and activities. Rachel Byrne, centre manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud of how Rochdale Riverside has flourished over the last five years. “With fantastic new brands, strong retailer success, and a loyal community of shoppers, we look forward to even more exciting years ahead.” £750,000 arts boost for borough High-fliers: The cash will be used to grow the arts in Rochdale (Photo credit: RDA) Riverside continues to thrive Coffee firm on the right track 40 arrests in latest Avro blitz on crime The mounted unit out and about in Rochdale town cente (Photo credit: GMP) Brewing, Lancashire Crisps, RivingtonMeats, Bury Lane Bakery and Urban Coffee. Jason said: “We really enjoy being part of a sta- tion community – get- ting to know the staff and on-board traincrew as well as the commu- nity groups and volun- teers that help care for the station. “We’re also really proud of our staff and the contribution they make to Le Feast – both those that have been with us for many years and those who are just starting out in their career and need to get some practical work experience under their belt.” The decision to focus the business and its on-going expansion at railway stations has been welcomed by the train operator Northern, who manage 469 sta- tions across the North of England. Robert Ellams, head of property at Northern, said: “It has been great to see Jason and Jere- my’s business grow and we hope to see more Le Feast outlets across our network in the months and years ahead.” by Cartwheel Arts and Break- ing Barriers. The success of the 2024 Teenage Markets in Rochdale and Middleton will be built on, providing young makers, entrepreneurs and per- formers aged 14 to 25 with a plat- form to showcase their talents. Technical training programmes, designed in partnership with Fac- tory Academy, Voltalab Sound Stu- dios and Sound Roots, will offer hands-on experience and skills development in performance pro- duction and the creative industries. An annual Creative Careers Fair, organised by Positive Steps, will introduce Year 9 students from across the borough to career oppor- tunities in the creative industries, reinforcing Rochdale’s commit- ment to nurturing creative talent and expanding opportunities for young people. Enhancements to the ‘Rochdale Creates’ website and digital infra- structure will highlight local talent, strengthen the borough’s creative network, and connect artists with opportunities for growth and long- term sustainability. And a borough-wide audience and market development strategy, led by The Audience Agency, will increase access to Rochdale’s diverse cultural programmes, boost local community engagement, and attract audiences from outside the borough. The award aligns with Arts Council England’s 10-year strat- egy, ‘Let’s Create’, which envisions a country where the creativity of each individual is valued and every- one has access to a diverse range of high-quality cultural experiences. Sam Kalubowila, senior rela- tionship manager at Arts Council England, said: “Rochdale puts local communities front and centre of everything it does. “The whole borough, from Mid- dleton. to Heywood to the Pennines, embrace co-operation and offers support and encouragement to those who need it most. “This funding will give the bor- ough the opportunity to transform and empower local communities through arts and culture by fos- tering creativity, strengthening partnerships, and ensure the region continues to thrive, enriching lives and building lasting connections.”