The newest restaurant in Rochdale, The Martlet, is finally here, taking up a corner of the Rochdale Town Hall, and it’s being backed by some well-known names.
The much-anticipated restaurant has a smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.
And inside the stunning space, guests aren’t just treated to tasty delights, but visual delights too, with artwork adorning the eatery’s grand walls.
The Martlet is offering everything from seafood and meat and veggie dishes, sure to go down a treat with everyone who pops in to visit.
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The leading powerhouses behind this remarkable venture are renowned chef Tristan Welch and award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who have expertly crafted the menu for the establishment taking careful consideration of its location.
Parkinson has previously worked at restaurants not too far away in Halifax including Shibden Mill and The Fleece Inn, growing up in Heywood less than 15 minutes away from where The Martlet is situated.
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Eager-eyed sweet-treat lovers may notice a familiar favourite from Grandpa Greene, a local ice cream parlour based in Delph, whose soft serve delicacy will definitely be a favourite with all dining guests.
Beef wellington (Front) and Cauliflower steak (Back) at The Martlet.Espresso martinis on hand at The Martlet.A lovely trio of Grandpa Greene’s finest ice cream.Inside The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
There are a multitude of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices with standouts being the aptly-named ‘Peregrine’ whisky, named after the resident birds that have been nesting in the eye-catching clock tower since 2008.
Rochdale’s newest fine dining restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.
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The Martlet holds a respectable 70 guests with its seating arrangements spread across a range of booths and tables.
A two course meal at this new food spot is £30 and those who are feeling a little more peckish can tempt their tastebuds to three courses for only £35.
The restaurant is a multifunctional space, so from 10am until 4pm on Monday to Fridays, it’s providing guests with a café luxe day-time menu and afternoon teas, which stay true to the dining destination’s northern roots.
Visitors wanting to enjoy The Martlet can come down on Friday and Saturday evenings from 27 September and will be greeted to a luxurious menu utilising local produce in its exquisite recipes.
Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate named one of the highest in the UK
Emily Sergeant
New research has revealed the UK regions that should expect to see a spike in crime over the festive season this year… and it’s pretty grim reading for Mancs.
For several years running now, our region has unfortunately found itself near the top of the list when it comes to seeing the highest rates of crime over the Christmas holidays, and according to a recent study conducted by ADT, 2025 is unfortunately no different.
With what’s supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ only a few days away now, home security experts have decided to analyse crime rates from December 2020-2022, and have highlighted the percentage difference in crime during the festive period in a bid to reveal where ‘Christmas crime’ is most prevalent.
Cleveland Police still has the highest reported crime rate, according to the study, with approximately 147.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 population, and more than 5,000 police reports of burglaries in early 2024 – with ONS data revealing 79% of which were residential burglaries.
Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate has been named one of the highest in the UK / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Aurelio Arantes (via Unsplash)
West Yorkshire Police also stays in second place, with crimes in the county having risen by 20%, going from a crime rate of 111.61 in December 2021, to 133.8 crimes per 1,000 population by March 2024.
And then, we have Greater Manchester.
Once again, Greater Manchester Police ranks third for the areas with the highest crime rates in England and Wales, with 129.7 crimes per 1,000 population.
ADT’s research this year found that theft offences accounted for almost a third of all crimes committed in our region, while residential burglaries and shoplifting had over 16,000 reported accounts, respectively.
Top 10 Christmas crime ‘hotspots’ in the UK for 2025
Rank
Police force area
Crime rate per 1,000 population
1
Cleveland Police
147.7
2
West Yorkshire Police
133.8
3
Greater Manchester Police
129.7
4
West Midlands Police
125.9
5
Merseyside Police
119.0
6
South Yorkshire Police
116.7
7
Humberside Police
108.1
8
Durham Police
101.8
9
Gwent Police
101.8
10
Metropolitan Police
100.2
Home security expert Michele Bennett, who is ADT UK’s General Manager, has shared some tips on how best to deter uninvited guests from your home during the Christmas period, and says it’s ‘important to remain vigilant’ at this time of year by enhancing your home security.
“This will ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable holiday experience,” she explains.
“Several proactive measures can be taken to deter intruders throughout the holidays, including installing visible security measures such as smart alarm systems or burglar alarms, with visible cameras and alarms display signs that indicate your home is highly protected.
“Also, secure your doors, windows, and other potential entry points with strong locks and deadbolts… and indoor and outdoor lighting is a good option to maintain a lived-in appearance by using smart plugs connected to lights, motion-sensing cameras, and video doorbells in and around entrances and other key areas of your home to make it less attractive to burglars.”
“The combination of these measures can drastically improve your home’s security,” Michelle concluded.
“As the appearance of an active and protected home is crucial to deterring potential intruders during Christmas and throughout the year.”
Featured Image – ADT
Boroughs
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 December 2025
Emily Sergeant
The most festive week of them all is FINALLY here.
While you may already have lots of activities planned this Christmas, if you happen to still be looking for things to do, Greater Manchester has got you covered. Our region is looking as seasonal as ever at the moment, with dozens of light trails and Christmas events currently going on for you and your families to get involved with.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Santa Specials
East Lancashire Railway
Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 December
Santa Specials / Credit: ELR
East Lancashire Railway’s beloved Santa steam train rides are back for more festive fun this Christmas, and this is your last week to hop on board.
Running through until Christmas Eve, ELR’s ‘Santa Specials’ are your chance to hop on board an old-school steam train and travel through the magical Irwell Valley to make “enchanted memories” that last a lifetime.
The famous festive steam trains have become an essential part of Christmas for many families in the North West, and there’s still some tickets left available.
The Grotto has returned to the Trafford Centre for the festive season, and this is your last week to visit.
This year, the shopping centre is taking things up a notch too, as The Grotto is described as being a ‘joyful’ and ‘interactive’ adventure where you’ll become part of a magical mission – saving Christmas cheer.
To make the experience accessible to all, specially-tailored Whispering Winter sessions with softer lighting, quieter music, and fewer visitors will create a calm and inclusive environment for every child to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Looking for somewhere a bit quieter but still full of festive spirit? We now have a round-up of the best alternative Christmas markets in and around Greater Manchester.
Manchester Christmas Markets may be over and done with, but if you’re seeking something a bit different for your festive day out, Christmas shopping, or even dinner, then there are still a few alternative markets to try this winter.
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From a brand-new event where street food traders centre around a flaming mulled wine bar, to one of the region’s best-loved weekend markets that now has a festive twist, there’s absolutely loads going on.
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2025, ready for families, friends, and festive fun seekers to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas, Skate Manchester is festive staple in Cathedral Gardens.
Skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.
This year, there’s also a giant turbine by Octopus Energy that’s partially-powering the rink too, and you can skate around it while enjoying the ski scene in the globe.
As a wise someone once said… ‘live, laugh, light trail’.
If there’s one thing we’re not short of in the North West this festive season, it’s light trails or seasonal light-themed events, so we’ve rounded up some of the best for you to visit this week, if you fancy popping down to one.
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Northern Lights
Heaton Park
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Monday 22 – Wednesday 31 December
Northern Lights / Credit: Supplied
Heaton Park has been transformed into a glowing world of wonder, as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails has made its Manchester debut.
Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot – has descended on our city’s largest park, bringing its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere along with it.
A magical illuminated trail has made it returns to the historic Dunham Massey, filling the grounds with twinkling lights and dazzling installations.
Christmas at Dunham Massey has become one of the North West’s most popular festive light trails, created by award-winning light trail producers, and for 2025, there’s a whole host of brand-new installations to see.
Visitors will get to walk through multicoloured landscapes of laser beams, while a projection on the facade of the historic house at Dunham Massey will narrate festive stories.
Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World / Credit: The Manc Group
The magical Land of Lights has returned to Gulliver’s World once again.
After proving to be a huge success the past two years, the one-mile trail showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, creating a wondrous, wild, and magical atmosphere that’s suitable for all ages, and this year, there’s even some new additions.
The dazzling Lanterns and Light trail has returned to Chester Zoo for the winter.
Over the past couple of years, Lanterns and Light has proved to be such a success that it’s developed into one of the North West’s biggest and longest-running festive light trails, and all profits from the event support the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent wildlife extinction.
The zoo has transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland with colour-changing forests, glowing animals, show-stopping puppets and, brand-new for this year, a host of new immersive installations.
Yuletide at Tatton Park / Credit: Tatton Park / Emma Croman
One of winter’s top events, Yuletide, has returned to Tatton Park’s Gardens.
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The magical winter adventure has, once again, brough a glittering light trail and theatrical, immersive performance to the famous beauty spot.
This unique fusion of Christmas light trail and winter family festival is now in its third year, and will debut brand-new features and performances for 2025. As visitors wander the Yuletide event, they’ll be treated to everything from sparkling light installations to impressive fire juggling shows.
Looking for something to do that isn’t all about Christmas?
Sure, it may be ‘Christmas week’, but not everything has to be festive-themed – and thankfully, there’s a few other activities you can be getting up to in our region this week even if you don’t celebrate this particular holiday.
This is the history of the runway, told like never before.
Ready to lose yourself in the world of fashion shows past, present, and future? VOGUE: Inventing the Runway has now opened down at Aviva Studios
This spectacular show uses Vogue’s remarkable archive and fashion network to create an experience that brings together the industry’s leading voices.
From Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood, to Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Virgil Abloh, and many many more, you’ll get to be immersed in the journey of fashion on the runway from its origins right through to the modern day.
Chester Zoo is offering £1 tickets this Christmas to families who may otherwise struggle to afford a festive day out.
Christmas is a time when many of us feel strapped for cash more than ever before, which is why Chester Zoo is embracing the season of giving by offering thousands of locals the chance to visit for a fraction of the price of normal entry tickets.
The discounted tickets will be available for anyone claiming Universal Credit on visits right up until New Year’s Eve, and they’ll need to be booked online in advance.
Manchester City are hosting special Christmas-themed tours of the Etihad Stadium this winter.
Having already been given the nod at Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ awards, the club’s Etihad Stadium tours have been given an even better festive upgrade. From walking out the tunnel welcomed to the tune of Christmas carols sang by the Halle Youth Choir and into the dugout, holding their own press conference, as well as a new VR experience, you’ve never quite done a tour like this. Give your fellow City fans a visit to their beloved Blues’ home ground like never before.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this winter? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Manchester isn’t exactly short of a pint of places for a pint of Guinness (not sure if you’ve noticed, but we have a LOT of Irish pubs now) – but only three have got the seal of approval from the source themselves. This week, the iconic Irish brewery released its inaugural Harp Guide, singling out just 35 pubs around the country that are serving a worthy pint of the black stuff. From a lively city centre pub to a couple of suburban gems, these are the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan.
Still need those last-minute Christmas gifts? Planning on hitting the Boxing Day sales?
The Trafford Centre has announced its opening hours over the festive period.
If your idea of a perfect Boxing Day is hitting the shops for a mooch and a bargain-hunt, then you can officially look forward to 12 HOURS of shopping this year as there’s an 8am start on Boxing Day and extra late-night shopping all the way through to 11pm. Here’s everything you need to know👇
Thomas Melia -
25th September 2024 
