Tameside Council announces Christmas and New Year service arrangements

Tameside Council has confirmed its festive period service arrangements, with most buildings and customer-facing operations set to close on or around Wednesday 24 December.

While in-person services pause for the break, residents can continue to access help, information and online support at www.tameside.gov.uk, available 24 hours a day throughout Christmas and New Year.

Libraries across the borough will operate reduced hours in the run-up to Christmas:

• Ashton, Hyde and Stalybridge libraries will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve.
• Mossley will end staffed hours at 1pm on 24 December, with Open+ self-access available until 5pm.
• Denton will close staffed hours at 5pm on 22 December, with Open+ running until 5pm on Christmas Eve.
• Droylsden finishes staffed hours at 1pm on 22 December, also offering Open+ until 5pm on 24 December.
• Dukinfield ends staffed hours at 1pm on 23 December, and Hattersley at 5pm the same day, with Open+ continuing until 5pm on Christmas Eve.

All libraries will reopen under normal arrangements from Monday 5 January 2026.

Open+ self-access will not be available over Christmas and New Year. Full details are available at www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries or by phoning 0161 342 4000 before 5pm on Tuesday 24 December.

The council’s call centre and customer services will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve, reopening at 8.30am on Monday 5 January 2026.

Other venues will also observe a festive shutdown:

• The Local Studies and Archives Centre closes at 5pm on 24 December, reopening at 10am on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
• Portland Basin Museum will follow the same schedule, closing at 5pm on Christmas Eve and reopening at 10am on 6 January.

Digital library services, including e-books and e-magazines, remain available throughout the holiday via BorrowBox at https://tameside.borrowbox.com.

Mental health support remains accessible every day, including Christmas Day. Residents can find help at www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand/mentalhealth.

Waste and recycling updates can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/recycling. Residents are encouraged to download the Tameside app for alerts, reminders and to report missed or lost bins.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled in aid of Willow Wood Hospice, Ashton by registering for a collection. Alternatively, trees can be chopped up and placed in the brown bin.

Recycling crews will also collect additional recyclable waste left alongside black or blue bins, provided items are placed in a clear or clearly labelled bag.

Anyone who urgently needs to contact Tameside Council over Christmas should phone 0161 342 2222, but the council stresses this is for genuine emergencies only.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Tameside Council’s Executive Leader, offered her thanks and well-wishes to residents and staff: “Christmas is a time for celebration, and we hope everything runs smoothly for our residents. If you do need assistance, our website is always available with information and support.

“Also, it is important to recognise all the staff who continue to work throughout the festive period so the rest of us can enjoy our break. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge their selflessness and thank them for their valuable work.

“On behalf of everyone at Tameside Council – elected members and staff – I would like to wish our residents all the very best for Christmas and the New Year. We look forward to continuing to work with the community and all our partners in 2026.”

For full festive service information, visit www.tameside.gov.uk.