A concise profile of the Bolton area and its current news
AO World has offshored about 150 call centre roles to South Africa with a further 50 planned offshore by next year, while posting a 145% rise in pre-tax profits to 50.5 million pounds. The group expects annual savings of around 4 million pounds from the move and is trialling robotics and AI to drive efficiency amid inflationary costs.
NATS has received a threat about a Qatar Airways flight, prompting police, the RAF, and airport authorities to respond. RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Lincolnshire to intercept the aircraft; it landed safely with no threat to passengers. A 14-year-old from Bolton, not on the flight, is assisting investigators.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has executed warrants across Bolton, Burnley, Liverpool, London and Swansea, seizing devices and documents as part of a crackdown on firms behind mass text messages about car finance mis-selling. Regulators say more than 12 million complaints have been logged since September 2025, with up to 100,000 reports daily.
Bev Craig has been confirmed as the new Greater Manchester mayor after the by-election triggered by Andy Burnham’s move to Parliament. Labour secures a commanding win under the SV system, with Green support rising and Reform UK underperforming in the region. Counts were held amid a regional turnout and a complex second-preference tally.
Sir Ian McKellen has sent a video message to Wigan Pride, expressing love and support. The actor recalls his Wigan grounding and celebrates today’s Pride as a sign of change that lets LGBTQ+ people live openly. The festival marks a shift from past times when Pride did not exist in Wigan.