Community spirit and the power of pulling together at a time when it’s needed most has never been more prevalent than during these few months and no one has proved that more than Mama Flo.
Stockport residents have been showing support in the hundreds on social media over the past few months for a “hero of the community” who has been feeding the borough throughout lockdown.
Mama Flo, of the popular and much-loved Caribbean restaurant Mama Flo’s on Buxton Road in Stockport, has been cooking hundreds of meals to offer to NHS staff, critical carers, essential/key workers and the most vulnerable within her local area to ensure they are well fed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A beloved figure in her community, Mama Flo is up everyday from around 4am to begin preparing fresh food.
She has been doing this for no financial gain and has been described as “an absolute inspiration”.
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In the spirit of her mantra ‘be kind and share the love’, Stockport residents have been sure to share their love for Mama Flo on social media.
Facebook / Mama Flo’s
A heartwarming post on Facebook by a local Police Officer, which highlights Mama Flo’s selfless efforts, has garnered much public response and has amassed thousands of likes, comments and shares over recent weeks. It reads: “This is Mama Flo. Those of you who know Stockport know…or should know that she has her Jamaican restaurant ‘Mama Flo’s’ on Buxton Road.”
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“Flo is up around 4am every day preparing food for her shop, and feeds the local community. Over the past few weeks since lockdown, Flo has not stopped. She’s fed Police Officers and Emergency service staff for free…without being asked.”
“Flo has cooked food and fed staff at the MRI at a time of stress and heartache.”
“Flo does not stop and does what she does because she loves people.”
“Today it was nice to take some flowers to her to say thank you from all Police Officers at Stockport who have been helped by her love, generosity and selflessness.”
“If you have never been to sample Flo’s food, you are sorely missing out, she is amazing, go and support her.”
“Flo…you are a hero of your community, and we salute you.”
Other local residents, happy customers and grateful members of the community have also added their support for Mama Flo in the comments of the above post, on her Facebook page and via other similar posts across social media platforms.
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Mama Flo has also been sure to keep her community regularly updated via her Facebook page and has often expressed how grateful she is to have received such overwhelmingly positive feedback.
After drawing her ‘Free Food Monday’ initiative to a close at the start of June, she took the time to thank customers in a post that read: “Thank you for your continued support throughout the past three months during the COVID pandemic. It’s been a real pleasure to see the community join together to support one another during what has been such a difficult time.”
“What has been a great 3 months [it has been]. I will especially miss the giving goody bags out for the children and receiving all the beautiful photos they brought for me.”
“Thank you to everyone that has helped me out, spread the word and donated to this amazing cause, but most of all, thank you to all my family that have been there to support me every step of the way.”
If you’re local to Stockport and are keen on Caribbean cooking, you can order for delivery and collection from Mama Flo’s on Tuesday-Thursday 12pm-9:30pm and Friday & Saturday 12pm-10pm.
Orders can be placed on Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats and for collection by calling –
A GoFundMe page has also been set up by local residents to support Mama Flo, say thank you and “give her a little something back”. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so here.
You can continue to keep up to date with Mama Flo on Facebook here.
News
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2020 
