Instead, she and Creer contacted everyone they thought could help (including The Mill). They met with local councillors, arranged meetings and eventually sat down with the mayor.

Read the full story below:
manchestermill.co.uk/what-it-take...

Lauren Gregory and Hannah Creer, local volunteers, became the cafe's champions after it was closed due to apparent lack of funding.

"I think they just thought we’d calm down and do a petition," Lauren said.

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

manchestermill.co.uk/lp-2/

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

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...

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

Thanks Tim

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...

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.