Officials have confirmed that a number of businesses in Bolton have been handed fines after breaching the town’s new operational local lockdown restrictions.
A hairdressers in the suburb of Horwich and four takeaways spread across Bolton were identified as flouting the new set of rules, which came into force in the borough last Tuesday, and were thus each handed fines of £100.
According to a statement issued with Greater Manchester Police, Bolton Council said that workers at the hair salon were not wearing face coverings and correct social distancing was not in place.
It will now “remain closed indefinitely until Bolton Council is satisfied improvements have been made”.
The local authority added that it had also fined the takeaways – LA Pizza on Crompton Way, Grillicious on Tonge Moor Road, Allens Fried Chicken on Chorley Old Road, and Pizza Corner on Higher Market Street – £100 for operating after 10pm.
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HSE inspectors are contacting businesses in #Bolton to make sure they are COVID-secure.
Enforcement is an option if workplaces are failing to follow government guidance.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there were 120 cases per 100,000 in Bolton, which made it the highest infection rate of any borough in the country.
He said that the rise in cases in the town was partly due to “socialising by people in their 20s and 30s” and that through the contact tracing system, they “identified a number of pubs at which the virus has spread significantly.”
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Bolton Lockdown Restrictions
All hospitality venues (restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs) are restricted to takeaway only.
Restriction of operating hours meaning all venues, including takeaways, are required to close between 10pm to 5am.
A ban on mixing outside households/support bubbles in homes, gardens and public settings.
Additional restrictions on visitors at care homes and hospitals in the borough.
The council has previously closed a vape shop and a restaurant.
Councillor Hilary Fairclough said officials would continue to do spot checks, adding they would have “a zero-tolerance approach to those who flout the restrictions”.
Steph Parker – Deputy Chief Inspector at Greater Manchester Police – added: “While I thank the majority of the public and business owners for the sacrifices they have to make, there are a minority who are still not heeding the message”.
News
Police urgently appeal after 90-year-old woman killed by reversing car in Failsworth
Emily Sergeant
Police are urgently appealing to the public for information and witnesses after an elderly woman was killed by a reversing car last week.
At around 3pm on Wednesday 7 January, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian on Albert Street West in Failsworth, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a woman, aged 90, had been struck by a reversing vehicle.
The woman was promptly taken to hospital in a ‘serious’ condition.
However, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she sadly later died from her injuries earlier this week (13 January).
#APPEAL | Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information after a woman in her 90s was struck by a car on Albert Street West, Failsworth on 07/01/26
Following the incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, but he has since been released on bail.
As officers progress their investigation at pace, GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses, urging the public to come forward if there’s any way they can help.
The appeal goes out to anyone who believes they saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam footage or CCTV of the incident.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
England are on the lookout for a new coach heading into the World Cup after being swept in the Ashes.
Coach Shaun Wane has reportedly resigned from the post after a disappointing 3-0 whitewash against Australia last year.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
The Manc -
14th September 2020 
