Elderly woman found dead outside Rochdale wedding venue as event cancelled

Sunday, 7 September 2025 14:25

By David Murphy

A woman in her 90s was pronounced dead outside a popular wedding venue in Whitworth, prompting a police response and the cancellation of a local event.

A woman in her 90s has died outside the Ashcroft, a well-known events venue in Whitworth, Rochdale.

Emergency services were called to Market Street at 6.28am on this morning, Sunday, 7 September, following reports of an unresponsive person near the venue. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene, where the woman was sadly pronounced dead.

Lancashire Police confirmed that her death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for HM Coroner.

A spokesperson for the force said:

“We were called by the North West Ambulance Service at 6.28am today to Market Street, Whitworth, to a report a woman had been found unresponsive. The emergency services attended and very sadly, the woman – aged in her 90s – was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed in due course to HM Coroner.”

A handwritten note posted on the Ashcroft’s front door later that morning read: “Rushcart 2025 cancelled. Due to a police incident outside the Ashcroft last night, we have made the decision to cancel today’s event. Thank you for your understanding.”

The Ashcroft is a well-known venue in Whitworth, often used for weddings and local community events.

No further details about the woman’s identity or circumstances have been released at this stage.

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