The Prestwich community has been left shaken by the sudden death of visionary local figure Mike Price, who ran the Cuckoo bar and restaurant.
Cuckoo and his family announced yesterday that Mike had unexpectedly passed away at the age of just 45.
His passing has triggered a huge outpouring of grief and gratitude for the work he did for Prestwich, where he has been described as a ‘pioneer’ and ‘pivotal driver’ in the town’s development.
Mike has run Cuckoo since it first opened way back in 2013, when the town’s high street looked very different.
Since then, the neighbourhood has blossomed around it and was this year once again named one of the UK’s best places to live by The Times.
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Many of those businesses that have sprung up over the last decade were first to issue tributes to ‘Prestwich legend’ Mike after Cuckoo broke the heartbreaking news.
The bar wrote: “The family and Cuckoo team are devastated to share our sadness that our beloved Mike unexpectedly passed away yesterday. We love you so much Mike.”
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It later shared: “Mike would want Cuckoo to continue, so we will be open [today] from 3pm. We would love for anyone to pop in, speak to the team, have a drink and take time to reflect. This is what Mike would have wanted.”
Tributes have poured in for Mike Price, a ‘Prestwich pioneer’ and co-owner of local bar Cuckoo. Credit: The Manc Group
Award-winning chippy Chips @ No 8 wrote: “Devastated and heartbroken to hear the news this morning. His legacy is all around us. Prestwich wouldn’t be what it is without his vision.”
The Goods In said: “A massive shock & a massive loss. Sending all our love to the team & his family” while its sister cafe All The Shapes shared: “We just can’t believe this heartbreaking news. Unbelievably sad. We are thinking of you all and are here if you need any support. Xxxx.”
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Freehand artist Myro Doodles – whose work is visible in windows all across town – said: “Just can’t believe it. A Prestwich legend, how much joy have we all had from what he created eh. Love to his girls and the whole Cuckoo family. we’ve got you xxx.”
Indoor plant business Nonsense, which used to have a presence on the Prestwich high street, said: “Oh wow such a shock, thoughts go out to Mike’s family and friends. A pioneer of the Prestwich we see today! such sad news xx”
Artist Stanley Chow said: “OMg… so sorry to hear this devastating news…”
Another person wrote: “Lost for words… Mike was a key player in making Prestwich the vibrant town that it is today. I am absolutely heartbroken and shocked to see this. I can’t believe it. Sending so much love to you all at this time…”
Someone else shared: “Gutted seeing this and reading it over and over again. Mike inspired me, taught me, mentored me and guided me as a boss and as a friend in the early days of my career and I could never thank him enough for that. He also introduced me to music, shops, new artists and designers and talked nonstop about “amaaayzin’ paaarties with the best viiiiibe”, just because he wanted me to feel as happy in the discovery of new stuff as he did. A selfless man. Love you, Pricey. Thanks for everything.”
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One tribute said: “Heartbroken. Mike has been a pivotal driver in making prestwich what it’s had become and is still becoming. Lost for words”
Similarly, one person wrote: “Lost for words really. Mike leaves such a legacy in what he’s done for Prestwich but most of all a big hole in our hearts. Sending lots of love to his family and to all at @cuckoo_prestwich.”
And finally, one tribute said: “Lost for words. What Mike did for my home town, I will never be able to thank him enough for. Mike brought Prestwich together as a community and made it what it is today. Big love.”
Prestwich’s regeneration plans take another step forward
Danny Jones
The regeneration plans being put forward for Prestwich have taken another step forward as a construction company has new been appointed to bring the vision of a new village centre to life.
With full planning permission for phase one of the redevelopment granted back in July 2024, it’s been pretty much full speed ahead on lining up one of Greater Manchester’s latest regeneration projects and adding more to what is already one of its best up-and-coming suburbs.
Prestwich Village Regeneration LLP are pumping over £100 million into developing the main square, and with Chroma Consulting having now passed on the baton to those erecting this new-look town centre, the joint venture between Bury Council and national ‘place maker’ Muse, work can soon begin.
You can see one of the first early renders down below:
CGIs of the new space around the Longfield Centre. (Credit: Supplied)
VINCI Building were officially appointed as construction partners last month, and with enabling works (surveys, ground investigations and so forth) now complete, the contractors are expected to get underway soon.
Additions to the vibrant new village centre will include a multi-storey Travel Hub, which will also see 301 new parking spaces, along with electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and a car club. This will replace the Fairfax Road car park, which closed when the early stage began last December.
Beyond this, the Prestwich regeneration plans are set to include a community hub, library and flexible community space for arts and cultural events, a new Prestwich Health Centre; a fresh village square with ‘family-friendly social places’ and room for open-air markets, festivals and more.
A dedicated Prestwich Village Market hall will be the perfect place to house local retailers as well as food and drink vendors, not to mention a much better entry point into the village courtesy of plans to transform the “arrival experience from the tram” by integrating with surrounding green spaces.
Speaking of which, there will also be extensive landscaping in and around the village centre, with the existing fountain set to be removed and new public art installations created in its place.
A glimpse at the new Prestwich Village Market.An overview of all three phases.Credit: Supplied
Beyond the public spaces, over 200 new homes – which made up a big part of the initial application – are also included in the wider vision, with a mix of affordable housing and FTB (first-time buyers) properties.
Leader of Bury Council, Eamonn O’Brien, said of the latest developments: “We are thrilled to announce the next stage in this multi-million pound transformational regeneration scheme, which marks a significant step towards revitalising the heart of Prestwich Village and creating a vibrant, sustainable future for all.
“As well as enhancing local infrastructure, our ambitious plans will foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for the whole community.” A final completion date is yet to be confirmed, but work on the Travel Hub specifically is set to carry over into next year.
Exciting times are ahead for Prestwich. It’s not the only borough making plans for the next chapter and set for a bit of TLC.
Urgent search for missing 80-year-old ‘keen walker’ from Bury
Daisy Jackson
A keen walker and birdwatcher from Bury has gone missing while out walking in a local beauty spot, with an urgent search now taking place.
Brian Fletcher, 80, travelled from his home to the Tockholes area of Lancashire on Saturday afternoon.
Brian regularly walks in the area, police have said, including the Higher Roddlesworth and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
He hasn’t been seen since the weekend and officers are now urgently appealing for anyone who was in the area to come forward with dashcam footage.
If you were on the A675 Belmont Road – from Abbey Village to Tockholes – between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, and have footage or information, you should contact the police immediately.
Brian was driving a grey Citroen C4 Cactus car, registration WP64HSC, which was found parked in a layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
He’s described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair and a small scar on his face from a recent procedure.
When Brian was last seen he was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue cargo trousers, a tan baseball cap and walking boots.
Bolton Mountain Rescue confirmed that search helicopters and dogs are being used in the search.
Lancashire Police said: “We are concerned for Brian’s welfare and if you think you have seen him over the weekend in the Tockholes and surrounding areas, please get in touch.
“Any sightings, please call 999 immediately. If you have dashcam footage of his car or any information which could assist us in finding Brian, contact 101 – quoting log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
“Our officers are being assisted by Mountain Rescue teams in the search.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th April 2024 
