Hale Independent Issue 179

MAY/JUNE 2025 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US SHOWROOM: 410 Flixton Road, Flixton M41 6QY DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL ROLLERS - ROMANS - WOOD VENETIANS - VERTICALS bd BLINDS DIRECT Flixton For a FREE no obligation quote call: 0161 749 8525 l Continued frompage one Bill Waterson added: “On behalf of all at the club and from me personally I would like to thank Lawrence for all he has done for Altrincham FC. From day one he has been an incredible driving force for this club, and it has been a real pleasure working with him. “What has been achieved is incredible by any measure and, although there is still plenty of work to be done, the club is well set up to continue to pursue promotion to the Football League.” strategic and sustained effort to combat vehicle crime through mul- tiple approaches. “We have implemented targeted operations in known hotspot areas, increased both visible and covert patrols during peak offending times, and listened to commu- nity concerns. “Alongside this, we have collab- orated with local authorities, com- munity safety partnerships, and neighbourhood watch schemes. These partnerships and many more have enabled a coordinated approach to prevention, detection, and enforcement. “Our officers have recovered sto- len vehicles and property worth more than £1million and return- ing them to their rightful owners. This represents - not only a signif- icant financial recovery - but also demonstrates our commitment to pursuing every line of enquiry.” The force says that despite often being perceived as a ‘low-level’ crime, vehicle theft is frequently linked to serious and organised groups who operate across Greater Manchester and beyond. GMP says these criminal groups use stolen vehicles to commit fur- ther offences, such as drug-related crimes and serious violence. Stolen vehicles can be used as getaway cars or dismantled in chop shops for parts which can be shipped internationally and sold for sig- nificant amounts of money. Superintendent Danny O’Neil, the lead for vehicle crime at GMP, said: “Across the force we have worked tremendously hard to identity areas of concern, target them and make signifi- cant changes. “It is pleasing to see the figures decreasing to nearly 30 per cent across all three main focus points related to vehicle crime, with our presence and investigations into these cases preventing potential further incidents of these nature. “We recognise the substantial impact vehicle crime has on vic- tims, not just on a financial level but a personal level. “For many of those who are vic- tims of vehicle crime, it can often have knock-on effects in their life, whether that be their inability to travel to work, transport chil- dren to school, or attend medi- cal appointments. “Items that have been stolen from vehicles may hold irreplace- able sentimental value or represent a financial loss that insurance can- not fully cover. “I would like to urge vehicle owners to take continue to take precautions, including removing valuables from vehicles, using steering locks for keyless entry cars, parking in well-lit areas when possible, and considering additional security measures such as tracking devices and faraday pouches for electronic keys.” A SUCCESSFUL scheme to help traders give their premises the ‘wow factor’ is being enhanced and extended to cover Hale, Sale Moor and Timperley. The government-funded Trafford Town Centre Shop Improvement Grant Scheme is now open to applications from businesses in town and district centres across the borough. A total of £220,000 is avail- able fromGreater Manchester Combined Authority which manages the city-region’s Gov- ernment Funding allocation. The funds will be available to boost the improvement of ground floor retail proper- ties. New and established businesses can apply for up to £10,000 on the condition that they match the amount from their own funds. The initiative builds on the success of grant giving to town centre premises in Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston last year. This time traders in Hale, Sale Moor, and Timperley are also eligible to apply. Money can be spent on building and renovation works, measures to help meet low carbon targets and work to make premises more accessible to people with disabilities. The aim is to support new start-up businesses and help existing ones thrive – which in turn will create new jobs and improve the eco- nomic growth and wellbeing of Trafford. In its first two years, the scheme has helped 41 busi- nesses create 28 new full time equivalent jobs, improved 2,206 square metres of com- mercial floorspace and saved 45,000kg of carbon. Claire Blezard of bar and venue for hire, Y Not, in Flixton Road, Urmston, said: “We’ve been in busi- ness nine months now and we received £10,000 for new double glazed bifold doors, a new floor and heating. “This massively improved our premises, creating more customer space and for both colder and warmer weather. We saw the measures up our energy performance certifi- cate (EPC) rating from E to B and we’re booked up for parties, for months ahead.” The Northern Light Cin- ema in Stanley Square, Sale, received £10,000 to spend on furnishings and decoration. Its owner Tony Mundin said: “We were delighted to receive THE One Trafford Part- nership has announced the new list of road repair schemes for 2025. Just over £5.4million has been allocated for continued improvements to the highway, with £2.45m centred on resur- facing, reconstruction, and surface dressing treatments. Roads on this year’s list include Clay Lane, which will undergo resurfacing from Wellfield Lane to Hale Country Club, and Sinderland Lane, with improvements from Birch Road to Wood- cote Road. Additionally, Ashfield Road in the heart of Sale Central will see ‘significant resur- facing’ from Tatton Road to Claremont Road. Improvements: Claire Blezard of Y Not Facelift cash boost for retailers a grant which enabled us to fit out our interior to a very high standard. “Local designers produced bespoke wall coverings and fabrics which really set the cinema apart. They are all sourced ethically and sustainably – the fabrics are made from recycled plastic and the papers are FSC-accredited.” Ashworth Holme estate agents on Washway Road, Sale, was also granted £10,000 for refurbishments. Owner Andrew Holme said: “Our building was dilapi- dated but with this help we were able to bring it back to life.” Interested parties can find out more and complete an expression of interest form. The application process has been streamlined and sim- plified since the last round of funding. Potential recipients are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is June 30, or when all funding is awarded, whichever is sooner. For further information contact business@trafford.gov.uk THERE has been a 27 per cent fall in vehicle-related crime across Greater Manchester, according to the latest figures. During September 2023 and March 2024 – Greater Manches- ter Police (GMP) recorded 4,275 theft of motor vehicle crimes, 7,136 thefts from a motor vehicle and 1,631 crimes relating to vehi- cle interference. During the same period between September 2024 and March 2025, the force saw 1,093 fewer theft of motor vehicle crimes (a 26 per cent decrease). There have been 1,984 fewer thefts from a motor vehicle (a 28 per cent decrease) and 405 fewer crimes relating to vehicle interfer- ence (a 28 per cent fall). In a statement GMP said: “These reductions are down to a Driving vehicle crime down Road repair plans unveiled To advertise, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274