Chronicle’s Mr Business bows out

Date published: 17 April 2015


IT’S the end of the era as the Oldham Chronicle bids happy retirement to business writer Martyn Torr.

For many readers the face of the Chronicle for the local business community, Martyn joined the Chronicle 24 years ago and became its business editor a year later. He has been a journalist since leaving school at 16.

The father of two, who lives in Uppermill, helped to establish the successful Oldham Chronicle Business Awards as a spin-off from the Pride in Oldham Awards. He also helped to revamp the borough’s sports awards.

He will continue to work at his “other” job - as a director of events management company New Image Ltd, which manages the Queen Elizabeth Hall and stages high-profile events across the country.

He is looking forward to spending more time in Burgau in the Portuguese Algarve where he has visited for many years and said: “I have had the best of times working in newspapers; the days when the presses rolled and the buildings shook and everyone read a paper.

“Now people can get their news in a myriad of ways but personally, I will never stop reading newspapers; they have been my life. I have had a fantastic time and made many friends.”

Oldham Chronicle managing editor David Whaley said: “Martyn has always worked hard to be positive about Oldham as a town and the crucial role that the Chronicle plays in keeping the people of Oldham informed.”

Robbie MacDonald has replaced Martyn as business writer. His contact details are 0161-622 2126 and robbiemacdonald@oldham-chronicle.co.uk