Kent Lawlor

Trafford Council has issued a formal notice requiring the owner of the former Altrincham Lodge in West Timperley, Greene King, to carry out significant repairs or demolish and clear the site within six months. The building has been closed since 2020 and has deteriorated amid repeated incidents of trespass, vandalism and fire damage. If Greene King does not comply, the council can undertake the work and seek to recover its costs. Proposals exist to refurbish the adjacent 1930s Pelican building, but there appears to be little prospect of the Lodge returning to beneficial use.

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for information to locate 34-year-old Kias McIntosh, who is wanted for allegedly breaching a court order. He is believed to have links to Timperley and Wythenshawe. Information can be provided to GMP or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Greater Manchester Police is appealing for witnesses and information after an alleged indecent exposure incident outside Old Trafford football stadium in Trafford at about 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. Information can be reported to police by calling 101 and quoting crime number CRI/06MM/0012299/26.

A new night-time 263 bus service will operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Manchester city centre, beginning September 3. Daytime services will also become more frequent, while evening and Sunday buses will run every 30 minutes. Bee Network says the changes are intended to improve connections, support Greater Manchester’s night-time economy and respond to passenger feedback.

A property on Aintree Avenue in Sale has been closed to the public for three months under an order responding to significant anti-social behaviour, drug misuse and violent activity. Greater Manchester Police said the problems had caused distress and substantially affected local residents. Only the occupant and officials acting in an official capacity may enter, with others potentially facing arrest. GMP, Trafford Council and Irwell Valley Housing will review the order before it expires and consider whether to extend it.

Co-op will close its On The Go store in Stamford Quarter, Altrincham, after less than two years of operation, with the final trading day scheduled for August 29. The company said employees have been informed and supported, and noted that it will continue serving the Trafford area through nearby stores in Bowdon, Timperley and Sale.

Greater Manchester Police is seeking the public’s help identifying a person believed to be able to assist with an investigation into a series of thefts outside properties on Doveston Road in Sale. The person is pictured wearing a beanie hat, jacket and backpack. Information can be provided through GMP’s LiveChat, by email quoting the crime reference, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Restaurant Örme in Urmston has relaunched with a relaxed social-dining concept centered on inventive British small plates, replacing its previous tasting menu. The review highlights dishes including smoked Lancashire cheddar muffin, cider-cured seabream, crispy lamb shoulder, roasted scallops and whipped cheesecake, praising their bold flavors, textures and presentation. Led by chef director Jack Fields and operations and wine director Rachel Roberts, the restaurant is portrayed as a distinctive and welcoming Michelin Guide-listed neighborhood venue with a cosy atmosphere and strong appeal for communal dining.

Kamran Khan, 36, of Stretford, received a 36-month prison sentence suspended for two years, along with rehabilitation activity and unpaid work, after admitting to handling stolen vehicles linked to 23 burglaries. Police recovered eight suspected stolen vehicles, including a BMW X5 and Audi Quattro, from properties across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Cheshire. Joel Wolfenden and Graham Cooke pleaded guilty to conspiracy and received prison sentences of seven years and 10 months and eight years and 11 months respectively.

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for information to locate 14-year-old Mya, who was last seen at 5 p.m. on August 5 on Barton Road in Stretford, Trafford. She is described as mixed-race, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build, distinctive eyelashes and shoulder-length ginger-brown hair with blonde strands. She was reportedly wearing grey leggings, a grey top, a cropped black leather jacket and black suede Adidas trainers. Police said she has links to Manchester city centre and urged anyone with information to call 101 or 999, quoting log 3295 of 05/08/26.

Lloyds Bank analysis identifies the M31 postcode, covering Partington and Carrington, as a more affordable alternative to the neighboring WA14 postcode covering Altrincham, Bowdon and parts of Hale. Average house prices were £280,616 in M31 compared with £403,621 in WA14, a difference of £123,005 or 30%. Thompson's Estate Agency and Lloyds mortgage chief Amanda Bryden say that considering nearby areas could help first-time buyers purchase sooner or obtain larger homes while remaining close to desired communities, jobs and amenities.

Family-owned e-commerce homeware retailer Online Home Shop Limited, based in Worsley, Salford, reported gross sales of £100 million for the year to 31 January 2026, a 68% year-on-year increase. Operating profit tripled to £15.3 million. Growth was driven by its website, expanding customer base, repeat purchases and marketplace sales, alongside expansion into garden, furniture, soft furnishings and clothing. A new 327,000-square-foot fulfilment centre in Trafford Park is intended to improve stock management and distribution as demand increases. The company employs more than 200 people and expects its workforce to exceed 400 during the current financial year; sales were also up more than 50% in its first half.

Residents in Trafford celebrated after the postcode M33 5GS won a £1,000 prize in the People's Postcode Lottery daily draw. The winning postcode covers properties on Romford Road in Ashton upon Mersey. Players contribute £12.50 monthly, with a portion supporting UK charities, and the lottery has raised more than £1.5 billion for charitable causes nationwide.

Asda will close its Hale Barns store on July 31, clearing the site for a new Waitrose that plans to open in the autumn. Asda said the decision followed a review of its store estate and assured customers of alternative nearby locations. Waitrose confirmed that existing Asda staff will become Waitrose Partners and that further recruitment will occur as it expands its presence in the area.

Police urge Trafford residents to be cautious of door-to-door workers offering maintenance services after recent reports of pressure tactics and potentially fraudulent behavior. Residents are advised to check identification, seek independent quotes, avoid upfront payments, and contact police if individuals refuse to leave or act aggressively, with particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable people.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows a five-way tie for the most popular girls' names in Trafford, while Muhammad returned as the top boys' name locally and nationally. Several trends mirrored national rankings across England and Wales.

Police are searching for 16-year-old Sylvie, last seen on Cavendish Road in Altrincham on July 10. She is described as 5ft 9in with shoulder-length brown hair and was wearing a navy school uniform. Officers have expressed growing concern and urge anyone with information to contact them, quoting the provided reference number.

Trafford Council approved plans to convert the former TGI Friday’s site in Sale into a Wendy’s drive‑thru, allowing redevelopment of the long‑vacant building. The project includes partial occupation by Wendy’s, space for a future tenant, installation of a drive‑thru, and reduction of parking spaces, along with new access steps and a ramp. Planning documents cite employment creation and economic benefits, with council officers deeming the scheme an appropriate use for the site.

Metrolink services through Trafford will be suspended for three weeks in July and early August as Transport for Greater Manchester replaces ageing track on one of the network’s busiest sections. The works will halt tram operations on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre and Eccles lines, with replacement buses provided and additional services for major cricket events. Further closures will occur in autumn, and maintenance, safety training and lift replacements will take place during the disruption. TfGM says the upgrades aim to improve reliability, reduce journey times and enhance accessibility.

Two men, Shikeo Bell and Giovanni Lawrence, received long prison sentences for their involvement in the 2021 murder of 16‑year‑old Rhamero West in Old Trafford. The victim was chased and fatally stabbed after a pursuit involving multiple attackers, two of whom had been previously sentenced. Statements from the victim’s mother, Greater Manchester Police, and the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the severity of the attack and the evidence used to secure convictions, bringing all four perpetrators to justice.

Two men from Trafford, Demario Griffiths and Cullen Hinds, received five-year sentences after police found them with a firearm in a Stretford property during a search triggered by a public report of armed youths. Officers traced an e-bike seen on CCTV to a house where the men were detained, with DNA evidence later linking Hinds to the weapon. Authorities stressed their commitment to removing weapons from the streets to protect local communities.

Greater Manchester Police issued an appeal to locate 31‑year‑old Nathan Muir, wanted on recall to prison and believed to have links to Altrincham, Hale and Wythenshawe. The public is urged to provide any information to police via designated contact numbers.

A partial closure order was issued for a property on Bollin Avenue in Bowdon following repeated reports of anti‑social behaviour and disorder. Greater Manchester Police, working with Trafford Council’s community safety team, imposed restrictions on entry to the home, allowing only the tenant to remain. Authorities say the action aims to protect nearby residents, reduce criminal activity and prevent further disruption, encouraging the public to continue reporting concerns.

Police appealed for information after a man was reportedly assaulted by two men at a Goose Green venue in Altrincham on May 30. Officers released an image of two individuals they wish to speak with and asked the public to contact them or provide anonymous tips through Crimestoppers.

Trafford is under a yellow weather warning from midnight to 10 a.m. Friday as thunderstorms, gusty winds, hail and heavy rain are expected. The Met Office warns of potential power cuts, travel disruption, flooding and hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures may exceed 30C before cooling over the weekend, with large parts of England, Wales and Scotland also under thunderstorm alerts.

An MP warned that unregulated infant sleep advisers are endangering children, citing the death of a four‑month‑old in his constituency linked to unsafe guidance from an unqualified individual. He urged the government to extend protections on professional titles and introduce mandatory training and a national register for childcare providers. A health minister said plans to protect the title “nurse” are forthcoming and will make misuse a criminal offence, and confirmed that early years providers must meet existing safe sleep standards.

Police detained a man minutes after responding to reports of an assault on Stockport Road in Timperley, where two people sustained minor injuries. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the arrest and said enquiries into the incident continue.

Stretford Grammar School announced the unexpected death of mathematics curriculum leader Chris McAvoy at age 57, describing him as a dedicated teacher, colleague and friend who served the school for 25 years. The tribute highlights his professionalism, commitment to students, contributions to school life and strong personal relationships. His passing follows the recent death of former headteacher Michael Mullins. The school has offered condolences to his family and invited the community to share memories.

Altrincham College and several Trafford schools have secured UK Government Condition Improvement Fund investment for building upgrades, including roof replacements and heating improvements. Achieve and Learn Trust CEO Kimberley Earle welcomed the funding, noting it restores work paused during the college’s planned expansion and marks a significant achievement amid nationwide competition for school improvement resources. Additional funding was also secured for Reddish Vale High School, with other local schools approached for comment.

The Genius Group in Altrincham has been named the third fastest‑growing private company in the UK and the fastest in the Northwest according to the Sunday Times list. Revenue rose from £4.2 million to more than £210 million over four years, with headcount increasing from 10 to 63. CEO Chris Niebel attributed the growth to investment in artificial intelligence, proprietary technology, and staff development. The company plans a major recruitment drive and continues to support charitable initiatives.