A caution has been issued to parents regarding a location known as ‘Rochdale’s Chernobyl’. The abandoned Turner Brothers factory in Rochdale is reportedly still containing hazardous fibers years after its closure. Spodden Park Ltd, the property owners, have noted a significant increase in trespassing incidents, with over 100 occurrences recorded in October 2025.
Incidents of unauthorized entry average between 30 and 60 per month, spiking by up to 25% during school breaks as groups of individuals labeled as “regulars” and urban explorers persist in gaining access. Asbestos, once prized for its fire resistance, is now recognized as highly risky, with fibers that can cause lifelong lung issues like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
The owners have cautioned that even brief exposure within the premises could lead to fibers being transported on clothing, potentially endangering others long after leaving the area. Despite efforts to secure the site with reinforced chains and locks, break-ins continue to occur, resulting in visible fence damage and vandalized security equipment.
Spodden Park Ltd expressed worry over individuals jeopardizing their safety through trespassing, highlighting the risks of asbestos exposure and potential structural collapses within the deteriorating buildings. Urban explorers have been sharing videos of their incursions on platforms such as YouTube, prompting concerns from landowners who are also grappling with ongoing illegal dumping and are encouraging witnesses to report incidents to the authorities.
The company has indicated a possible pursuit of legal action if trespassing persists, advising parents and guardians to educate children on the dangers of asbestos exposure and abandoned structures using a safety factsheet provided. Turner Brothers, a former prominent employer in Rochdale, ceased operations in the 1990s, leading to the site’s prolonged contamination and redevelopment challenges.
Earlier proposals for residential units, a daycare center, and a business park were rejected by Rochdale Council in 2011, while subsequent attempts in 2021 encountered setbacks when contamination investigations worth £500,000 were left incomplete by landowner MMC Estates. In 2014, a fire ravaged parts of the deserted factory, exacerbating the already hazardous conditions.
