Since opening in 2013, The Longfield Centre in Prestwich Village has been a significant part of the community in which many rely on for food shopping, leisure and somewhere to grab a nice cup of coffee.

The £100m works will breathe a new life into Prestwich, one that the community will be able to take full advantage of.

It will see around 200 new homes, retail and leisure spaces, an expanded village square and a new library that will be more than double the size of the previous one.

The project is being led by Prestwich LPP, which is joined with Muse and Bury Council.

The developers say plans are designed to build on what makes Prestwich special, while creating a modern, welcoming centre that reflects the needs of today and tomorrow.

Demolition works are beginning to take place imminently, with all of the shopping units being vacated, as well as the library.

Lifts across the library, Longfield Suite and Iceland have also been decommissioned.

“With everything closed down, it’s miserable”, local resident Rodger tells me.

When walking around, there is a sense of isolation, a sense of absence. People walk past these closed down shops, not giving them a second thought.

Hugh Taylor, Senior Project Manager at Muse said: “These enabling works mark the exciting beginning of the Longfield Centre transformation – an important milestone in delivering this once-in-a-generation investment for Prestwich.

However, some residents don’t believe this is the case.

The curious locals who pass by stopped to speak to me, however they didn't want to be named.

“We are losing a shopping precinct and going to be left with nothing but flats”, one woman told me, clearly unhappy with the new developments.

Rodger told me that he wished to see some more live entertainment in Prestwich.

“The Holy Weavers and groups like that [is what we need] singing at Christmas…bring back the entertainment and that will bring back the community.”

The current plans don’t specifically say anything about live entertainment however that doesn’t mean it won’t be a possibility, it will depend on what companies hire out the retail/leisure spaces.

Before the closure of The Longfield Centre, the community spirit was quite good. It is only hoped that this can be brought back, especially with the new high street culture once the work has been completed.

Residents are also hoping that more small businesses will be able to come back to the high street. These could include bakeries, cafes or independent shops - it is hoped this will bring back the dearly missed community spirit and high street culture back to Prestwich.

Rob Summerfield, Director of Regeneration and Project Delivery at Bury Council, said: "The Longfield Centre is dated, deteriorating and no longer fit for what Prestwich needs as a village centre. Its demolition marks the point where long-promised change becomes visible, as we begin to deliver a new modern village centre that the community deserves.”

For more information on this development, you can visit the ‘Your Prestwich’ website for all of the details.

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After years of back and forth, a new housing development has been approved on a plot of land in Kearsley.

The site in question is along Springfield Road, already known to be quite a heavy residential area which ends with a school and industrial site.

It is a former railway cutting, accessed from the south by Springfield Road.

The plans were submitted back in 2022 by developers W. Maher and Sons where they have since had planning permission declined and had to change the submitted documents so they wouldn’t breach planning regulations.

The amended plans are for 36 houses along a strip of land between some existing houses and Kearsley Academy.

They will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom houses.

There will be 4 one bed houses, 12 two bed houses and 20 three bed houses being built. None of these will be over 2 storeys high.

The houses will be in a singular line, going from the edge of the road, all the way back to just after the academy.

Each house will come with 2 parking spots. One which will be on the driveway, and one on-street parking spot. This offers the potential for 72 extra cars accessing this site once fully built.

When speaking to a local resident, who doesn't wish to be named, she told me how work has recently been completed underneath the bridge to strengthen it for the existing school traffic and lorries that pass through. She is concerned that the addition of all these extra cars could make the area much more congested for the morning commuters, and not as pleasurable to live in what should be a quiet residential area.

As it stands, the site currently lies empty, boggy and full of fly tipped waste that would need to be cleared.

More than 50,000 cubic metres of clean fill material would be needed to level out the site before any buildings works could commence - a very expensive first task.

The land is currently for sale on Rightmove where the emphasis on the advertisement is that planning permission has been granted for 36 homes and it being an ‘ideal development opportunity’.

To find out more about this development, you can visit the Bolton planning register and quote the reference: 13910/22

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Millions are set to cast their ballot today in a series of local elections taking place in England, Scotland and Wales.

In England, this means that voters will be picking 5014 councillors for 136 different local authorities.

Six Mayors are also being selected today, all around London. These are: Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford.

Scotland and Wales are holding elections for their respected parliaments.

No elections are being held in Northern Ireland today, their next elections are scheduled for May 2027.

By law, parliament elections happen every 5 years. Scotland and Wales last held their elections in May 2021, meaning the 5 year mark is today. Northern Ireland last held their elections in 2022, meaning theirs falls in May 2027.

What to expect on Polling Day

Voter ID & Polling Card

You would have received your polling card in the post with your name, address, the ward you are voting for and your polling number.

You do not need to bring this with you to the polls.

You will however, need photographic ID to vote in England. This includes a Drivers Licence or Passport.

A full list of acceptable Voter ID’s can be found here.

Can you take your own pen/pencil?

While a pencil will be provided in the voting booth, you can take your own if you wish.

Can you take children?

Yes. Taking children is encouraged so they can learn about democracy. They will not be allowed to make your ballot paper.

Can you take a pet?

We’ve all seen the classic photos on polling day of dogs outside the ‘Polling Station’ sign, however they aren’t allowed inside with you. This is apart from assistance dogs of course.

Can you take a selfie?

The Electoral Commission, who oversees UK elections, says that taking selfies risks the secrecy of the ballot meaning photos inside the polling station aren’t allowed.

You are more than welcome to take photos outside.

Can you vote at any Polling Station?

You can only vote at your local polling station. Details of this can be found on your polling card.

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm tonight. The first elections results are expected overnight.

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The Tour de Manc has returned to the streets of Manchester for its 2026 event, and once again has certainly not disappointed with its turnout.

The annual event is an opportunity for cyclists of any background or ability to come together and ride around the streets of Manchester with the chance to raise money for their chosen charities.

This year, The Tour de Manc hosted 4 different rides. These ranged from: The Mad Manc, The Classic Manc, The Manc Challenge and The Northern Quarter ride. All of these come with their own challenges which can differ in length or climbs.

The Tour de Manc was initially founded in 2014 by Danny Franks. Danny rode an 80 mile Tour de Manc route solo to fundraise for Forever Manchester raising over £1000. In 2016, he joined forces with an old friend, Tony Rubins where together they created the all for charity, non-profit organisation The Tour de Manc Ltd.

According to the website, the Tour de Manc idea was simple. It was “to run epic cycling events which could also be used to raise significant funds for registered charities, as well as supporting cycling inclusivity for all.”

Full image galleries will be available for everyone to view up to 10 days after the event.

More information about The Tour de Manc, can be found on their website here.

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The Local Highway Authority (LHA) have issued their response to the proposed HMO plans at the bottom of Moss Lane in Swinton.

Currently occupying Moss Lane, sits a collection of commercial shops from a chippy, cafe, barbers, bookmakers and a tanning salon - all of these, minus the bookmakers who are owned by William Hill, are independently owned.

The street is already known to be quite congested with cars parking all throughout the day, and while the plans submitted allow for parking on-site, it potentially won’t be enough for all of the residents as only 4 parking spaces are being proposed. This will leave the rest to park on the road if extra spaces are required.

In a new document released by the Local Highway Authority, they have stated that due too the restrictions when entering the side of the property, which include a brick pillar against an already narrow entrance way, it would make it difficult for 4 cars to be parked there as they would have trouble passing each other and likely have to reverse out onto the road when leaving the site. This is against the Highway Code and deemed unacceptable by the LHA.

It has been said that only 1 parking space would be acceptable on site at the property to allow the safe manoeuvre from the property carpark onto the road without the need to reverse out.

The LHA have said that there could potentially be 7 vehicles that would be seeking on street parking from this development.

The LHA have considered that “parking availability is limited” on the street and that because the area fronting the shops is unrestricted parking, it could have negative impacts on the commercial sector at the bottom of Moss Lane “by preventing customer parking”.

While short stay parking could be introduced, the LHA have said that it could “push the demand up Moss Lane where it becomes residential in nature.”

Concluding their report, “the LHA do not support this proposal”. Major safety concerns have been raised due to the location being on a busy junction with congested parking all throughout the day.

It is likely this will have a huge impact on the decision process from the council, which is expected to be made by the 15th April 2026.

For more information on this planning application, you can visit the planning portal here and search the reference number: PA/2026/0062.

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It was early 2025 when the Royal British Legion in Swinton closed its doors for the final time. Now, a year later, the building is still standing without purpose. A building which brought the local community together is now just a distant memory in the local community.

Planning permission has been submitted to turn the former club into a new housing development containing 15 apartments.

As it stands, the Legion Club building is 2-storeys high and has an integrated 3-bedroom apartment.

The application, which was submitted by Creative Property People, is requesting to knock down the existing building and completely build the new apartments from scratch.

It would see: 4 one-bedroom apartments, 8 two-bedroom apartments and 3 three-bedroom apartments across 2 floors.

One of the biggest issues that is being raised by locals is the parking situation. Comments about the planning application on Facebook are all parking related with most saying there is nowhere to park as it is without adding an extra 15 apartments.

Another issue that has been raised in the community is the impacts on local services in the area. This is relevant to this development as well as others in the area. Concerns have been raised about not having enough infrastructure for access to GP’s, Police, Social Care and Schools.

“There isn’t the infrastructure in place to support more and more people moving into the area” - Fifi, Swinton Resident.

Since April last year, the social club has gone inactive on social media. They were best known for hosting interactive entertainment and community focused events.

A decision regarding this planning application is due in the next few months.

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Since my report yesterday, the FIA has since confirmed the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix.

It follows the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the dangers that would be posed to the drivers, team officials and other personnel that make the race weekends happen.

The 24 race calendar will now be cut to 22 races as there isn’t enough time to move them to different circuits. Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Istanbul Park in Turkey were amongst considerations to replace the two Grand Prix.

Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, said: “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the FIA as well as our incredible promoters for their support and total understanding as they were looking forward to hosting us with their usual energy and passion.

"We cannot wait to be back with them as soon as the circumstances allow us to do so."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA will always place the safety and well-being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.

“We continue to hope for calm, safety and a swift return to stability in the region, and my thoughts remain with all those affected by these recent events.

“Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season, and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. My sincere thanks to the promoters, our partners, and our colleagues across the championship for the collaborative and constructive approach that has led to this decision.”

F1 is taking a huge commercial hit of more than £100m due to the cancellations because Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the highest hosting fees of the season.

The decision will mean a 5 week break between the Japanese Grand Prix on the 29th March and the Miami Grand Prix on the 3rd May.

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Although a formal decision about these races being cancelled hasn’t been reached yet, there is set to be one made by the end of the weekend.

The final decision will be made by the FIA, the governing body for motorsport.

The Bahrain GP was set to be held on the 12th April and the Saudi Arabia GP the week after on the 19th.

As the races are so close, personnel and freight would need to start heading to the circuits for preparation, however this currently isn’t possible due to the current dangers in the Middle East, and no sign of either the US or Iran backing down.

The 24 race calendar will now be cut to 22 races as there isn’t enough time to move them to different circuits. Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy and Istanbul Park in Turkey were amongst considerations to replace the two Grand Prix.

F1 is taking a huge commercial hit of more than £100m due to the cancellations because Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the highest hosting fees of the season.

The decision will mean a 5 week break between the Japanese Grand Prix on the 29th March and the Miami Grand Prix on the 3rd May.

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Opening on the 28^th March, the Artisan Street Fayre is back in Swinton for the first time this year.

The Fayre is open on the last Saturday of every month and is the ideal way for a family day out while supporting small businesses.

Whether you’re looking for unique gifts, delicious treats or something special for yourself, there will be plenty to explore.

Despite there still being a few weeks to go, there is already an impressive lineup of traders ranging from Homemade bakers, handmade jewellery, crafted gifts, 3d printed décor and much more.

There will also be an opportunity to play the charity tombola, which is raising money for the RNLI, helping to save lives at sea.

There are still some trader spaces available and those interested can book their place on their website.

The Artisan Street Fayre is open on Swinton Square on the 28^th March 2026 and will return on the last Saturday of every month.

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All traffic has been stopped on the M60 this morning after reports of a vehicle crash.

The incident is reported to have taken place between junction 17 for Prestwich and 16 for Clifton on the anticlockwise carriageway.

Emergency services are at the scene and GMP are currently holding traffic as 3 of the 4 lanes are closed.

The delays are currently expected to last 45 minutes.

Live updates are below

[10:27] All lanes now re-opened

All lanes have now been reopened on the M60.

Delays are still expected but traffic will begin to clear.

National Highways are advising people to allow extra time for their journeys.

[9:24] Now 2 lanes closed

1 lane has now reopened on the M60 leaving just 2 closed.

Traffic is reported to have been backed up to J19.

[9:15] Three lanes closed on the M60

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Despite weeks of demolition, Walkden Town Centre has seen even more this week with the old Pembrooke Hall building being demolished as a part of the town’s re-development plans. With this gone, it will make way for the new proposed pedestrianised entrance way that is in the building plans.

Workers from City Build are currently working on flattening the ground in preparation for the next phase of the building project.

This recent development has seen the entire building taken down which stretched along the high street and into the carpark from next to McDonalds all the way to the Job Centre.

The work comes as part of the £15m scheme, which is destroying 180,000sq ft of existing retail space to make way for upgrades such as a pedestrianised entrance and new retail space, to improve the quality and footfall of the town centre.

See more below ⬇️

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It has been curated by the Amoeba Photography Network - a group of photographers from beginner to professional level.

They regularly meet in Stockroom to share and develop new work, as part of a community where anyone is welcome and can get involved.

Their latest exhibition features 20 photographers from across Greater Manchester who are in the network, including students, recent graduates and industry professionals with national or international recognition.

As Stockport evolves, this exhibition ‘tells a story of connection, creation and collective activity.’

Running until 19 April, the exhibition is free to attend and invites the community to come together, celebrate creativity, and experience the collaborative energy that makes Stockport such a great place to live.

Across the exhibition, the group made intentional decisions such as keeping all images to the same size and the same frame, to make sure every photographer has an equal platform and presence.

Speaking at the Preview night, Sandra Clare, who is an Amobea photographer said, “Every photo is a brief of somebody leaving their front door and noticing something nobody else did.”

Sandra’s work is a result of spending two and a half years walking and documenting above, below and beside the M60. “Stockport is connected to Greater Manchester but also disconnected from itself because of this big piece of tarmac (M60)”, she said.

Sandra ended up with 2000 photographs and presented the best one to the exhibition.

Each photographer has their own interpretation of what Local/Connection means to them, and it shows in their work. The brief was intentionally left open, so it could be interpreted in many ways.

Along with the exhibition, Amobea are also hosting a range of free events between now and April such as Photo walks, networking events and making your own camera strap.

‘Local/Connection’ is free to attend and open in Stockroom until the 19^th April.

Following successful trials in Manchester City Centre, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is looking to deploy vans containing LFR cameras to Stockport Town Centre.

The cameras focus on a specific area or crowd and check faces compared to a pre-prepared watchlist. An alert is issued immediately if there is a match, at which point police officers can take action.

While LFR can be used to catch wanted criminals, it can also be used to help find missing persons.

Since October 2025, when LFR was first introduced, GMP have made 40 arrests and charged 30 with various offences. 1 in 5 of these arrests were registered sex offenders.

GMP have been using 2 vans which have been supplied by the Home Office since the initial rollout, and they have been deployed 23 times.

Some notable deployments include Picadilly Gardens, Manchester Airport and The Manchester United vs City football match - which is the first time LFR has been used at a football game.

Inspector Jon Middleton said “This proactive approach allows officers to intervene more quickly before suspects can commit further offences, reducing the risk to the public.

“We will continue to deploy across Greater Manchester to support our neighbourhood policing teams.”

Greater Manchester Police watchlists are made up of vulnerable missing persons, people wanted for a crime or by the courts, or who are under certain conditions that could be breached.

Sergeant Ryan Magee, from the Sexual Offenders Management Unit, said: “The introduction of Live Facial Recognition technology has seen significant improvements in public protection and proactive policing.

He went on to say that “LFR has quickly proven to be an invaluable safeguarding asset.”

Running from the 24^th - 26^th February, the Festival of Pineapples, who are now in their 8^th year, celebrate places that contribute to urban life and encourage people to live, work, dwell or play.

Each year, Merseyway Shopping Centre hosts a free to attend Trick or Treat event which has become ‘a real staple for Halloween in Stockport’. In 2025, they brought this back with a vibrant new theme and called it, ‘Merseyday of the Dead’.

The awards are inspired by the pineapple as a symbol of prosperity and welcome in architecture - with golden pineapples at the top of St Pauls Cathedral.

The 2026 finalists have been announced, comprising 129 projects across 20 different categories, including two in Stockport. ‘Merseyday of the Dead’ has been nominated in the Events category and Stockroom have been nominated in the Community Space category.

Those shortlisted will have to present their projects between the 24^th and 26^th February, with the winners being announced on the 22^nd April, at an awards party in Trinity Buoy Wharf, London.

Each project will have 10 minutes to present to the judges, who can ask follow up questions, in an online event. They will then deliberate in private before announcing the winners in April.

Registration to the online event is now open and tickets are also available for the awards party in London. More information on these events and a full list of nominations can be found here.

It comes as part of a crackdown on dangerous driving called ‘Operation Limit’ which ran from 1 December - 1 January, aiming to make the roads more safe.

Throughout the period, GMP officers conducted 1,599 impairment tests and arrested 448 motorists for drink and drug driving offences.

Of the 448 arrested, there was a roughly equal balance between drug and drink driving, with over 200 arrests for each offence.

While the majority of drivers arrested were over 25, 15 percent were 24 or younger.

Department for Transport data shows that around one in five fatal road collisions involve a driver impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

Offending tends to rise over the Christmas period as more people attend festive events, increasing risk on the roads.

The current alcohol limit for drivers is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath however the government has recently announced plans to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales as part of an effort to improve road safety.

The new rules would see it lowered from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. This would bring England and Wales in line with Scotland, who introduced this law back in 2014.

This wider campaign forms part of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Vision Zero plan which is aimed to eliminate raod death and life-changing injury by 2040.

Chief Inspector Michael Parker, Safer Transport Team, said: “These figures show that too many people are still choosing to get behind the wheel while impaired, placing themselves and others at serious risk.

Speaking on the arrests, he said: “We have seen a decrease in arrests this year from the previous two years with 570 arrests made last year (December 2024) and 507 arrests the year before that (December 2023).

“This is a year-round focus for us as we see first-hand how drink and drug driving destroys lives. We will continue to target offenders and support Vision Zero’s ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on our roads by 2040.”

Stockroom, which opened in May 2025, offers book borrowing services, computers and archives; it also has a cafe, hosts events, and even boasts a children’s play area.

Stockport Council said the new facility helped make the town centre a ‘lively, welcoming’ place for everyone.

“Since opening, more people are coming into Merseyway to enjoy the shops, cafés, and events, helping the area feel busier and more vibrant than it has in years”, a spokesperson said.

Stockroom’s free events have also been a pull, with residents embracing storytelling, creative workshops, youth gigs, comedy nights, Pride and Windrush celebrations and exhibitions from various artists and photographers.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “Stockroom has been an incredible success and people have truly taken it to their hearts. Since opening last May, we’ve seen thousands of residents coming through the doors every week, exploring the space, discovering new activities and making it their own.

“Our library service is busier than ever, with huge growth in book loans and new members, and it’s been fantastic to see so many people getting involved in creative and cultural events.

“Every day, Stockroom is full of energy — families reading together, young people performing in Stockroom Studios, and residents accessing support in a relaxed and welcoming environment. It’s become a place for everyone, shaped by our community, and a real source of pride for Stockport.”

Kate Doyle, Creative Programme Manager at Stockroom, said: “Stockroom has quickly become a vibrant space where creativity and community come to life.

“People aren’t just attending events, they’re shaping what happens here, and it’s become a place where people feel confident to try new things, share ideas and connect.

“We’ve been able to deliver such a wide and inclusive programme by working closely with a brilliant range of partner organisations, artists and community groups.

“We’re really proud of what’s been achieved so far, but this is just the beginning.

“We’ve got even more coming up, with new exhibitions, and a growing programme of free events, with something for everyone to enjoy — including the spectacular AMAZE outdoor projection coming to Merseyway in February, which brings local people’s stories to life on a huge scale.”

Find out more about What’s On at Stockroom on their website here.

Regeneration in town centres is becoming more of a discussed topic in recent years. With towns in Greater Manchester facing regeneration after government grants, those that have been suffering in recent years will finally have some much needed attention.

Walkden, a town in Salford, Greater Manchester is one of the places that have been selected for refurbishment.

The Derwent Group are the ones responsible for submitting the plans for Walkden Town Centre, with the aim of transforming the retail park and making it more pedestrian friendly.

The £15 million scheme will see the demolition of approximately 180,000 sq ft of the current retail space within Egerton Walk and Victoria Square, which are outdated and no longer meet retailer expectations.

A new entrance way will be made in this space and open up 7500sq ft of new and modern retail units for people to enjoy. There will also be a new public greenspace area on the front of the retail units providing safer access to the shopping centre and more areas for pedestrians to socialize. New wooden benches and planters will be installed to finish off the area.

Relocation of all existing tenants in retail units that are being removed will be implemented before any work takes place.

Walkden Town Centre has been under the ownership of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation for more than 30 years during which time it has invested more than £66 million in both the Centre and Walkden Retail Park. This latest wave of investment will significantly enhance the existing offering of the Town Centre providing a more sustainable and efficient retail configuration in a more modern and attractive environment.

Scott Hall of The Derwent Group states: “The feedback from our recent public consultation was both positive and constructive and clearly demonstrated how important Walkden Town Centre is to the local community. By creating an appealing and sustainable retail environment, we will be able to offer a more efficient and economical operational solution for the Centre’s retailers, helping to attract new names which will ultimately, have a significant positive impact on the area. We are already exploring options with a variety of exciting new potential operators who are looking to move into the Centre.”

The Derwent Group have appointed City Build to be the constructors for this transformation. Their build will see 180,000 sq ft of the shopping complex knocked down, a new façade erected, and an additional 49,000 sq ft of refurbed space delivered.

Scott Hall, asset manager at Derwent Estates said that “City Build did an outstanding job during the first phase of works, and this appointment reflects both the quality of the delivery as well as their deep-rooted connection to the local area.

“This is a key project for Walkden, and we remain fully committed to investing in its long-term growth and transformation. We’re excited to continue working with City Build to bring the next chapter of this important regeneration to life.”

This is what a regeneration in a town looks like. Where companies invest money into local towns to secure their future.

To find out more about the Walkden redevelopment, you can visit the City Build Website.

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As high street culture continues to decline in the UK’s small towns, studies have shown that a big contributing factor to this is the closure of high street bank branches.

The British Banking Association (BBA) has collected data from 1986 to 2012 and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have been collecting data from 2012 to 2023. The figures show that in 1986, there were 14,689 banks open on UK high streets. In 2023, that fell to just 5745. Over that same period, building societies felt similar losses from 6954 in 1986 to 1925 in 2023.

The digital age is one of the main reasons that bank branches have been forced to close. In a letter to the then leader of the Treasury Committee Mel Stride, the chief executive of Barclays UK, Matt Hammerstein, wrote that “profound technological changes, and the ease with which customers can access their accounts digitally means that our physical branch network is experiencing a sustained fall in demand.”

74% of Barclays users now interact with the bank via telephone, online or mobile banking.

A similar situation is happening at TSB. The banking company said that 90% of its transactions have been done digitally and that 67% of their users use telephone, online or mobile banking.

Despite this, there are still a great portion of banking customers who like going to physical bank branches.

Swinton has seen its fair share of branch closures in recent years. Lloyds, HSBC, Santander, Barclays, RBS and Halifax have all closed down in Swinton in the past 10 years. Halifax, the most recent closure, was the only remaining bank in Swinton before it closed in 2023.

It is because of these closures that residents will feel the need to visit other towns away from their own or use online services. This has a knock on effect on footfall in our local town centres.

Local residents who still like to use physical banks are now required to travel to surrounding areas such as Salford and Walkden. In some cases, they would have to travel even further to Bolton or Manchester City Centre if they need to use a physical bank branch.

One way the issue is being resolved is with banking hubs. This is where various banks merge in one place so customers can visit and have more chances of their bank being supported in their town.

For more information about banking hubs and where they’re located, you can visit the Banking Hubs support page on the post office website.

After spending 40 years on Swinton’s high street, Puccini’s Restaurant has announced they will be closing their doors.

Puccini first opened in Swinton in 1982 and was taken over by the current owner, Michele Pucci in 1990.

As the business grew in the first 11 years, Puccini’s relocated from Station Road where it was initially founded to its new location under the Lancastrian Hall in 1993. It has been based here ever since.

Speaking to the MEN, Michele Pucci said “Trade is dying, Swinton is dying and we’re dying in Swinton.”

He went on to say “I have tried really hard to keep it going, but the council is doing nothing to support local businesses and the landlord isn’t interested.”

He says that since the pandemic, ‘trade has dropped, it’s become harder to find trained staff and with rising costs they ‘simply can’t afford to be here anymore’.

Puccini’s isn’t the only restaurant to close in recent months due to running costs. It is estimated that across Manchester, over 50 restaurants have closed their doors for the last time in 2025.

Michele said his staff are currently on a 3-week break and that the restaurant won’t reopen after this time.

Despite saying trade is dying in Swinton, he’s now helping his wife launch her own coffee shop and wine bar nearby, but will be taking more of a backseat role in supporting her venture.

His restaurant is located underneath the Lancastrian Hall and could’ve posed as an obstruction if any demolition plans were brought forward. With the premises now vacant, there could be renewed calls for the old library to be knocked down.

Salford Council has confirmed there aren’t any immediate plans for this however a vision for the future is in the works.

You can read more about the Swinton Vision on the Salford City Council Website.

Following concerns from the Grok AI deepfakes, the Culture Sectary Liz Kendall has been speaking in the House of Commons about how the UK will tackle these issues.

Grok AI is the built in chatbot feature on X, formally known as Twitter, which was released as a preview to select users in November 2023.

New laws will make it illegal for companies to supply the tools that generate intimate and inappropriate images.

Speaking in the Commons, Kendall said ‘AI-generated pictures of women and children in states of undress, created without a person’s consent, were not “harmless images” but “weapons of abuse”.

She confirmed it will be made a ‘priority offence’ in the Online Safety Act.

“Let me be crystal clear - under the Online Safety Act, sharing intimate images of people without their consent, or threatening to share them, including pictures of people in their underwear, is a criminal offence for individuals and for platforms.

“This means individuals are committing a criminal offence if they create or seek to create such content including on X, and anyone who does this should expect to face the full extent of the law.”

It is currently illegal to share deepfake images of adults in the UK however until now, legislation to make it a criminal offence to create or request them has not been enforced.

It comes as the built in chatbot has faced intense backlash in recent weeks after generating and sharing an AI image depicting two young girls in sexualised attire.

Elon Musk has since said that the image generating feature has been limited to paid subscribers only. Legal experts and child protection groups said the change does not address the underlying harm.

Ofcom has also launched an investigation into the social media site after they received ‘deeply concerning reports’ against Grok for sharing inappropriate images.

If found to have broken the law, Ofcom can potentially issue X with a fine of up to 10% of its worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.

Elon Musk has responded saying ‘Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.’

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