The Mill

Join The Mill - Quality journalism for Greater Manchester The Mill produces local journalism that is both informative and enjoyable to read — including investigations, culture pieces and opinionated columns about Manchester's biggest talking points.

If you want us to keep doing this kind of work, you can join our campaign to get 1000 new subscribers. There's now only 10 days left for you to be able to pay whatever price you like for your first two months. It would be great to have you on board

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Both of these are stories that would not have happened without The Mill. Both also show the power that local journalism can have to hold institutions to account when it is properly funded

This comes in the same week that our reporting on Rochdale council chief executive James Binks led to his suspension. That one was also picked up by the Guardian. Without @jackdulhanty.bsky.social's work, Binks would still be in post

‘I’ll sack who I want’: Inside the chaotic, mutinous new University of Greater Manchester The strange story of how a marketing man from Milton Keynes turned a university into his poison-filled fiefdom

The Guardian makes reference to "extensive reporting by the Manchester Mill" - this is a story we've been on top of for a year now, prompting an investigation into possible fraud and bribery by GMP. Here's @molliesimpson.bsky.social's first piece from February

manchestermill.co.uk/university-o...

Regulators open inquiry into University of Greater Manchester amid fraud claims University is already being investigated by police over ‘allegations of financial irregularities’ and has suspended three of its senior staff

Welcome news that the OfS have opened an inquiry into the University of Greater Manchester, and a huge testament to the power of local journalism done well

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Regulators open inquiry into University of Greater Manchester amid fraud claims University is already being investigated by police over ‘allegations of financial irregularities’ and has suspended three of its senior staff

Regulators open inquiry into University of Greater Manchester amid fraud claims

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

With reference to extensive reporting by @manchestermill.bsky.social

My heart sings! I cancelled The Times today to make room for the @manchestermill.bsky.social, Britain's best online local newspaper. Make no mistake - this one's better than most anything we did in the newsroom, back in the day.
#Manchester #ManchesterMill #TheMill
@joshih.bsky.social

Meet the London lawyer terrorising the leaseholders of Bolton ‘If these allegations are true, this is one of the most egregious cases of bullying I have ever seen’

Read our full story about Andrew Milne, the lawyer from London demanding huge sums of money from the leaseholders of Horwich

manchestermill.co.uk/meet-the-lon...

And in another disturbing piece of correspondence, Milne told a blogger he would make him his "total sex slave" after bankrupting him

In a bizarre email to one resident Milne likened himself to the Russian military and said he could "knock out" the Ukrainian military in a single "pre-emptive strike"

Pauline had Milne on her case for two years. At one stage he told her he was going to have her conservatory demolished at her expense. Another resident was told Milne was sending his team around to change the locks of her bungalow

In 2021 Milne bought up the freeholds to 67 properties in Horwich. Despite paying £8500 in total, or about £127 each, he began sending residents letters demanding sums in the region of £5000 each to buy them back. If they failed to comply, the threats started

Meet the London lawyer terrorising the leaseholders of Bolton ‘If these allegations are true, this is one of the most egregious cases of bullying I have ever seen’

“You were anxious all the time,” Pauline tells me as our chat comes to an end. “You weren’t sleeping, you weren’t eating".

Meet Andrew Milne, the London lawyer terrorising homeowners in Horwich

manchestermill.co.uk/meet-the-lon...

Join The Mill - Quality journalism for Greater Manchester The Mill produces local journalism that is both informative and enjoyable to read — including investigations, culture pieces and opinionated columns about Manchester's biggest talking points.

The @manchestermill.bsky.social keeps demonstrating why it is so important to have a truly local paper. They really do feel like they are a part of Manchester, not "reporting" on it from somewhere else! They're doing a cool special right now, where you can pay what you like for two months!

If you value journalism, you have to pay for it. In the past, you would have bought a newspaper or a magazine. In the online world, you need to subscribe or it will eventually disappear under a tide of AI slop and adverts. @manchestermill.bsky.social is one of many local quality sources. Subscribe!

Join The Mill Manchester's quality newspaper, delivered via email.

An amazing opportunity to subscribe to the Mill, a local Manchester newspaper that does the proper reporting and investigating, for basically ‘give what you can’ prices!

manchestermill.co.uk/r/3359d2b6?m...

Meet the London lawyer terrorising the leaseholders of Bolton ‘If these allegations are true, this is one of the most egregious cases of bullying I have ever seen’

This story is a complete disgrace - and an explanation of so much that is wrong with our economic system.

Great reporting by @manchestermill.bsky.social as ever.

manchestermill.co.uk/meet-the-lon...

Thanks Tim

Join The Mill - Quality journalism for Greater Manchester The Mill produces local journalism that is both informative and enjoyable to read — including investigations, culture pieces and opinionated columns about Manchester's biggest talking points.

I don’t even live in the NW but i read @manchestermill.bsky.social religiously because it’s doing a terrific job of real investigative local journalism. Along with sister publications, @joshiherrmann.bsky.social and team are doing an excellent job.

Give it a try.

manchestermill.co.uk/lp-1/

Exclusive: James Binks suspended as chief executive of Rochdale council Plus: Manchester gets a new ghost train

The big question now is: when did Rochdale's leaders learn about the report?

It was sent to Manchester early last month, but it was unclear when it was shared with Rochdale council.

Read our full briefing on the Binks suspension below:
manchestermill.co.uk/exclusive-ja...

Exclusive: Senior council officials engaged in ‘sleazy’ behaviour towards young female staff Confidential report tells how an awards ceremony descended into bar-hopping and sexual misconduct

One woman interviewed as part of the investigation found the behaviour she experienced “sleazy” and said she had not expected the “level of creepiness” she witnessed.

You can read our original piece about the report below:
manchestermill.co.uk/exclusive-se...

The report, written by senior employment lawyer Victoria Duddles, found that Binks was pulled to one side by HR director Mark Bennett following the incident.

More generally, Duddles found “there was a vibe of less than professional behaviour” on the night.

Over the weekend we revealed a confidential report that found how Rochdale Council CEO James Binks inappropriately touched a female colleague when he was assistant CEO at Manchester City Council.

Yesterday, Binks was suspended.

As Sacha Lord previously learned, @jackdulhanty.bsky.social doesn’t mess around.

Thanks Jim

Exclusive: James Binks suspended as chief executive of Rochdale council Plus: Manchester gets a new ghost train

Exclusive: James Binks suspended as chief executive of Rochdale council

@manchestermill.bsky.social kick arse, as do their colleagues in Birmingham, London, Sheffield and Liverpool. This stonking update will show you why you should subscribe right away:

manchestermill.co.uk/exclusive-ja...

Andrea Ashworth wrote a classic of Mancunian literature. Why did she vanish from view? My search for the author of ‘Once in a House on Fire’ led to the other side of the world - and to a tantalising revelation

Looking back at my journalism this year, I think my favourite piece was the interview with Andrea Ashworth, author of ONCE IN A HOUSE ON FIRE, which ran on @millmedia.bsky.social

manchestermill.co.uk/andrea-ashwo...

I used to read The Mill at school. Now I’m joining the team Please welcome our new reporter Lucy

🚨 Some very nice news: we’ve got a new @manchestermill.bsky.social staff writer.

Lucy grew up in Manchester and is the first staffer we’ve hired who first read The Mill at *school*. She looked up to @molliesimpson.bsky.social and is now taking her spot.

manchestermill.co.uk/big-news-mee...

I used to read The Mill at school. Now I’m joining the team Please welcome our new reporter Lucy

I used to read The Mill at school. Now I’m joining the team.

A short note from our new staff writer Lucy.

manchestermill.co.uk/big-news-mee...

Find out how a foodbank siphoned off £195,000 into the hands of ex-Liverpool councillor Peter Mitchell and his associates 👇

livpost.co.uk/exclusive-ho...