GM Buses garage sign - 18 Oct 1991

Friday 18 October 1991 – Within a short time after this photograph was taken this sign would be taken down when GM Buses closed its garage on Mellor Street, Rochdale

Rochdale Corporation Tramways established the site in 1904 replacing a smaller property in Entwistle Road near the town centre.

Rochdale Corporation Transport continued with bus operation until the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) took over in November 1969. The SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE (operating as Greater Manchester Transport) on 1 April 1974, the day that the Greater Manchester County was created.

In October 1986 in the lead up to privatisation Greater Manchester Transport was renamed GM Buses and became an ‘arms length’ operation of the Passenger Transport Executive.

Facing the need to reduce operating losses the Rochdale garage closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns.

The property was subsequently occupied by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler.