Latest news with #Blackrod
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former teacher who created award to showcase inspirational women honoured
The Bolton woman who created an awards ceremony 10 years ago has herself been given a national award by the Daily Mail for her inspiration. Gulnaz Brennan, a former teacher living in Blackrod, is well known as the driving force behind the annual SheInspires Awards. These recognise outstanding females locally, nationally and internationally. The Daily Mail asked its readers to nominate women across the country who 'go the extra mile for other people' and selected five to become Inspirational Women of the Year. Gulnaz won her award for her campaign to help women take greater control of their finances and their lives. The paper described how it was the realization that many of her friends let their partners control their finances that 'lit the feminist fire in her". SheInspires Awards' founder Gulnaz Brennan has been given a national award by the Daily Mail (Image: Supplied) Gulnaz said: 'One couldn't afford to do the supermarket shop because her ex had run up debts on her credit card. "Another discovered after her relationship broke down that her ex had taken a loan out in her name. 'Saddled with his debt, she faced losing her home. It was heartbreaking.' She felt that 'too many women are ignorant about finances and uncomfortable talking about money, but it's vital to stay in charge of our finances and not let anyone – even a partner – take over". Gulnaz started her campaign Let's Talk Money and now runs monthly seminars, podcasts, webinars and networking events, helping thousands of women. READ NEXT > Best villages near Bolton for a day out according to locals READ NEXT > Age UK Bolton and council partnership 'changing lives' for residents READ NEXT > Alarming children's mental health condition fact revealed in Bolton conference Last year, she launched a programme to set up financial workshops helping girls from nursery school upwards understand how to manage money. 'We need to target children as young as possible and ensure they grow up with a healthy attitude to money,' she said. 'A world where girls are financially empowered is a world where they have control over their futures. 'Being recognised with this award is a wonderful feeling. "It's a pat on the back – and a real motivator to do even more.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We're not getting enough people through the door': Village pub closes
A village pub has closed less than a year after being taken under new management. Ben's at The Legion in Blackrod posted on social media that it had closed with "immediate effect" this week. The former Heroes of Blackrod, on Manchester Road, was taken over by husband and wife Ben and Nikki Haydock in October 2024. The post states: "It's with great regret that we have to announce that Bens at The Legion has closed permanently with immediate effect. More: 'Lovely' pub that's opened in former home of Coronation Street's Rovers Return More: Bolton restaurant to be closed for the day - as 9,000 staff prepare to party More: Closed town centre bar hopes for 'light at the end of the tunnel' with new venue "We've ploughed a ridiculous amount of time, effort and money into the venue but unfortunately, we're just not getting enough people through the door for the business to be viable. (Image: Ben Haydock) "We would like to say a huge thank you to all our staff for their hard work and dedication and also express my gratitude to all of our customers for your support during our brief stay. "If you got a taste for our ale you're more than welcome to visit us at Ben's Tap & Bottle Shop where we also have a great selection of craft cans and even more on our website (Image: Ben's Brewery) "To be frank it doesn't feel great to be yet another of the growing numbers of pubs closing but we'll dust ourselves down and crack on. "Thank you for some good memories Blackrod and all the best for the future." The building was formerly the Blackrod Royal British Legion Club before closing its doors in August 2012. The family's microbrewery, Ben's Tap and Bottle Shop, remains open in Chorley town centre. The Bolton News attempted to contact the pub's management, but they had no further comment to make. In 2024, close to 300 pubs closed down across England and Wales — a rate of around six per week — according to the latest figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). The association, which represents more than 20,000 establishments, revealed that 289 pubs shut over the past year, leading to the loss of over 4,500 jobs.
