News
Greater Manchester’s oldest bakery Robinson’s has gone up for sale
The owners confirmed the news in a Facebook post
The family run Greater Manchester bakery Robinson’s, established in 1864, has gone on the market.
Established 159 years ago in Harpurhey before moving to its Failsworth location in 1959, Robinson’s bakery has lived through two world wars and most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.
But amid rising costs, the owners of Robinson’s have now decided the time has come to put the bakery up for sale.
Run by David Robinson and his family, the bakery has long been the go-to place for baked goods including bread and its famous Manchester tart.
But David, who has worked at the bakery for 53 years, has called time on the business and is ready to hand up his apron and hat to Retire.
His daughter Grace, who works there alongside him, has decided it’s also time for her to pursue other things.
Over the weekend the family posted on their Facebook Page to announce the news which read: “Well the time has come for us put our bakery up for sale. As crazy as this is, as we are busier than ever, it is the right decision for us as a family.
“Mum and Dad are ready to retire and the chance of a lifetime has come my way.
“Don’t worry, we will be here, doing exactly what we do best, for as long as it takes to find the right new people to guide our fabulous team in to the future and be part of our amazing community here in Failsworth.
“If this is you, or know someone it would be perfect for please get in touch!
“Grace, Emma, Sue and David.”
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, last year the bakery was hit with staggering costs with the sharp rise in energy bills and food ingredient prices.
David told the news outlet at the time the potential hike in the businesses energy bills could be a ‘suicide note’ for the bakery.
He added that ‘serious intervention’ from the government was needed if businesses were to survive the winter amid increasing costs of fuel and food products.
At the time, energy bills for the bakery cost around £18,000 per year but as their energy was up for renewal in October, they were told their bills would increase to around £72,000 — a 400% rise.
However, David was told that of he didn’t sign up to the six-month increase then his bills could potentially go up to a staggering £270,000.
speaking to the M.E.N. David said: “It can’t possibly go on like this, it’s ridiculous. We’re just keeping our fingers crossed and hoping the next Prime Minister and Chancellor will get together and do something to stop the prices going up to these levels, but we’re not holding our breath.
“Liz Truss was asked a question about this at one of these hustings recently where she said she would reduce corporation tax to help business. But I’ve never heard such nonsense as we and countless others don’t make that kind of profit in the first place.
“Others, including many pubs, are suggesting reducing VAT which could help them but it wouldn’t help us as we only do food and we reclaim that VAT anyway. We can take bills going up a reasonable amount but this is totally unreasonable.
“As soon as these increases hit all hell is going to break loose for businesses, they [government] have got to do something about it. I’ve had sleepless nights since I got these letters to be honest and the only advice I’ve been given is to hang fire for three or four weeks to see what happens.
“But I can’t sign up to this, it would be a suicide note for the business. We couldn’t afford £72,000 let alone £270,000, we’ve got 22 staff to look after too.”
A Government spokesperson said: “No national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy, but we will continue to support business in navigating the months ahead.
“This includes doubling our support for high energy usage businesses, reducing employer national insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance, slashing fuel duty, introducing a 50% business rates relief and putting the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier – worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.”
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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