Five historic theatres in Greater Manchester have sadly been named as being ‘at risk’ of being lost forever on an annual list.
Each January, Theatres Trust – a charity campaigning to protect the UK’s theatres – publishes its annual Theatres at Risk Register, highlighting a number of theatres across the UK that are under threat of closure, redevelopment, or severe decay, but all of which have the potential to be revived for their local communities with the right support.
This year’s list is made up of 43 buildings – five of which are in Greater Manchester, and have all featured in the past.
Each of the buildings named by Theatres Trust this year have been noted for their architectural merit, cultural heritage, or value to the local community as a performance venue.
The five venues in Greater Manchester are the Grade II-listed Tameside Theatre in Ashton-under-Lyne, Co-op Hall in the Bury town of Ramsbottom, Victoria Theatre in Salford, the famous Hulme Hippodrome, and Manchester’s oldest surviving theatre building, the Theatre Royal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alongside the five venues within our region, there are also a number of other venues listed across the North West as a whole.
Several venues in Lancashire have been named, including two in Blackpool and one in Morecambe, both on the coast, as well as Epstein Theatre in Liverpool and the Garrick Theatre in Southport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Five historic Greater Manchester theatres have been named as ‘at risk’ of closure / Credit: Flickr
Theatres Trust has added five more theatres to the list this year too, all local authority owned and located outside of major cities, one of which is the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre in Lancashire, named at risk due to pressures on local authority budgets, leading to Councils seeking savings by closing their theatres.
Some good news, however, is that since the list began in 2006, more than 80 theatres have been restored, revived, or had a suitable replacement built.
And on a more local note, Theatre Royal Hyde has been removed from the 2025 Theatres at Risk Register, as although it has not returned to theatrical use, it is being maintained and used by its current owners, so the threat of harm to the building has been greatly reduced.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
28th January 2025 
