Bolton
Government clarifies rules in Bolton and other COVID hotspots
Bolton's local leaders have emphasised "there are no local lockdowns" following confusion over COVID rules.
The government has updated its advice for areas worst-affected by COVID following ‘confusion‘ over what people can and cannot do.
Official guidelines are now asking residents in the likes of Bolton – where the more infectious variant is spreading fastest – to ‘minimise’ travel rather than avoid it altogether.
People in COVID hotspots should also “meet outside rather than inside” according to current rules.
The guidance is not law, and health officials in Bolton have since confirmed “there are no local lockdowns”.
There had been calls for ministers to clarify rules after The Manchester Evening News broke a story on Monday evening (May 24) that revealed official guidance for high-risk areas had been quietly edited online the previous Friday.
The new advice urged residents to avoid gatherings and only travel if ‘essential’, but was not accompanied by an announcement.
Local leaders in Bolton were unaware of the changes, with Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi saying she was “angry and upset” for her constituents who were looking at cancelling holidays and returning to work from home.
A press conference on Tuesday saw Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emphasise that he did not want to see Bolton in regional restrictions. He also sympathised with residents who thought the situation looked like a “local lockdown by stealth”.
Bolton Council leader David Greenhalgh added: “As long as they follow the guidance I don’t believe residents in Bolton should be cancelling holidays.”
Helen Lowey, Director of Public Health, Bolton Council also issued a statement that read: “Following the national coverage of recently revised COVID – 19 guidance, we have met with national officials and confirmed there are no restrictions on travel in or out of each of our areas: There are no local lockdowns.
“In areas where the new COVID variant is spreading, we are all working together to boost testing, vaccinations and to support self-isolation.
“There are sensible public health precautions that people can take as individuals in line with the advice we have all been following throughout the pandemic.
“We will keep sharing that and working with national officials to make sure people understand what they need to think about as they go about their daily lives.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Bolton
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
- Thursday 9 July (Evening)
- Friday 10 July (Evening)
- Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
- Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Bolton
Bolton man, 74, jailed after giving woman ‘unknown substance’ and raping her
Emily Sergeant
A 74-year-old man has been sentenced to prison after the rape of a woman in Bolton last year.
Stephen Biggs, of Furness Square in Bolton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court this week where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of rape of a woman 16 years or over (the victim’s age has not been disclosed), and one count of sexual assault, at an earlier hearing.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that in late March 2025, a woman befriended Biggs and he invited her alone to his address.
Biggs then proceeded to give the woman an ‘unknown substance’, which led to her feeling drowsy and later falling unconscious in his home.
When she awoke from being unconscious, some of the woman’s clothing had been removed, and she found Biggs on top of her.
The victim was struggling to gain full consciousness and passed out once again, but after waking up for the second time, she found the Biggs still on top of her with his trousers unzipped and she managed to push him off her.
Following his arrest, Biggs was interviewed by police, where he admitted to raping and assaulting the victim whilst she was unconscious, and was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison.
GMP described the assault as ‘horrific’ and the victim bravely admitted: “It’s destroyed me.”
Speaking following Biggs’ sentencing, Detective Constable Jordan Brown, from GMP’s Bolton CID, said: “This was a horrific assault that happened to the victim all without her consent and without her knowledge at the time.
“She has been immensely brave coming forward to report this and supporting the investigation and I would like to thank her for her continued strength and courage during this difficult time.
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“We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual violence and bringing offenders to account, no matter how long it takes.
“I urge anyone who may have gone through this to please come forward and report. You will always be treated with respect and your reports will always be taken seriously.”
Featured Image – GMP
The Manc -
26th May 2021 
