News
Storm Debi to bring strong winds with ‘significant impacts’ to Greater Manchester this week
We're in for a blustery one.
We could say it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Greater Manchester now… but that wouldn’t be quite accurate.
Sure, Manchester Christmas Markets may have kicked-off for 2023 last Friday, the city’s resident Big Santa has taken pride of place in St Peter’s Square for another year this morning, and the rest of the region has an events calendar that’s absolutely packed with all sorts of seasonal activities and celebrations over the next few weeks.
But the weather? Yeah, the weather is really not so festive at all.
That’s because the Met Office has officially named the next storm set to hit the UK as Storm Debi, and she’s on her way to northern England this week.
Storm Debi is first set to bring “very strong, potentially damaging winds, and heavy rain” to the Republic of Ireland from this morning, according to the Met Office, all before it goes on to “bring impacts” to other parts of the UK – including Greater Manchester.
With a number of yellow and amber weather warnings issued for wind and rain across the UK, forecasters say Storm Debi will “develop quickly” and “bring “potentially very strong and damaging winds” to parts of Ireland.
“The strongest winds are expected to affect parts of Ireland early on Monday, possibly coinciding with the morning commute, before then affecting parts of north Wales and northern England into the afternoon,” explained Jason Kelly, who is a Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office.
“Whilst the very strongest winds will have eased somewhat before reaching the UK, we are still expecting some significant impacts, and a wind warning has been issued.”
According to the Met Office, Storm Debi – which is the fourth storm named as part of the Met Office’s 2023/2024 storm-naming initiative – will develop, in part, because of a very strong jet stream crossing the Atlantic, which is said to be “responsible for the very unsettled period of weather we are currently experiencing” – with the core of the jet stream currently located to the south of the UK.
Storm Debi will move through into the North Sea during Monday evening.
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“Further areas of low pressure may develop and affect the UK during the coming week,” Mr Kelly concluded.
Featured Image – Matt Atherton (via Unsplash)
News
Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
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Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
- 18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
- 20 December: 10am – 10pm
- 21 December: 12pm – 6pm
- 22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
- Christmas: 9am – 5pm
- Christmas Day: Closed
- 26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
- 27 December: 10am – 9pm
- 28 December: 12pm – 6pm
- 29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
- New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
- New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
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When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Featured Image – Trafford Centre (Supplied)
