Spodden Park Ltd, which owns the derelict Turner Brothers asbestos factory in the Spotland area of Rochdale, has warned that anyone breaking into the site is committing a crime. The company said its security measures will lead to police being contacted.
The decaying factory has become a hotspot for "urban explorers" who either do not know the dangers of entering the area or choose to ignore them. With summer here, site owners are anticipating a spike in trespassers, and they also fear fires being started on the site because of the particularly dry weather the city-region is currently experiencing.
"The site is dangerous"
The Spodden Park team said: "Now that we are in the school summer holidays, we anticipate there may be an increase in trespassing activity during this period. The site is dangerous, and breaking and entering is a crime.
"We encourage those who have or work with children and teenagers, to remind them of the significant dangers of the site, asbestos and fires, and the consequences of being caught committing a crime.
"No fires are permitted on site. With the prolonged dry forecast, if you see smoke or fire on site, please call the fire brigade immediately."
Spodden Park also said the perimeter security fence has been repaired. "We have been working with the security team and can confirm the perimeter security fence has been repaired. We will continue to take measures to keep the site safe and secure. If you do see anyone breaking and entering the site, please report it to the police."
Playground for exploration
Despite the hazardous substances once produced on the site, the area is often seen as a playground for exploration. According to experts, asbestos fibres in the ruinous buildings still pose a threat to those who enter "Rochdale's Chernobyl".
Site owners reported higher rates of trespassers during school holidays last year, continuing into autumn. Security was alerted to trespassers more than 100 times during October 2025. The number of breaches per month was estimated at between 30 and 60, with intrusions up by 25 per cent during school holidays.
Locals have even spotted children playing in the River Spodden, which flows through the factory site itself.
Risk of collapse and asbestos exposure
Spodden Park issued a similar message before the Easter school holidays, urging parents to educate their children on the risks they take when they break through the fence into the ominous land of desolation. The site owners also produced a factsheet explaining that breathing in asbestos fibres can mean they stay in the body for life, potentially leading to asbestosis. Asbestos fibres can also get stuck on clothes and pose a risk to family members who breathe them in later on.
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring, fibrous minerals that were once widely used in products due to their resistance to heat, fire and chemicals. It is now known to be a carcinogen, and exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Spodden Park also explained that there is a risk of collapse both outside and inside the decaying buildings on the Spod Road site. If any injury occurred on the site, it would be difficult for emergency services to reach someone inside the fencing.
Redevelopment plans
It is hoped the former Turner Brothers factory will not stay in its declining state forever, with plans for a redevelopment on the cards. No official plans have been lodged by Spodden Park Ltd, but it is anticipated that housing and some form of park will be part of the proposals.
