Celebration of business

Reporter: Robbie MacDonald
Date published: 08 May 2015


OLDHAM firms are invited to take part in a month-long celebration of business.

The Oldham Festival for Business has a range of events offering information, advice, discussion and debate and is being organised by Oldham Business Leadership Group, with Oldham Council and the Business Growth Hub.

Last year’s events attracted over 1,000 delegates.

OBLG chairman Dave Benstead said: “The festival will give businesses of all sizes the chance to make connections, exchange new ideas, promote their products, create new partnerships and seek new sources of finance.”

The festival was launched at Oldham’s Link centre on Union Street with a breakfast event highlighting support and funding for employing people with disabilities.

On Tuesday, the topic will be “starting small businesses” at an event called Oldham Business Expo.

Guest speaker Ken Heathcote, a leading figure in the fitness industry, will give a presentation. Small firms can exhibit their products and services.

On May 14 at 8am, Oldham’s George Street Chapel is the venue for a Greater Manchester devolution discussion looking at the implications for Oldham.

The 2015 One Oldham Business Awards are at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on May 15, and on May 18 the Asian Business Leaders’ Dinner, in aid of the Mayor’s Appeal Fund, is at the Eastern Pavilion on Featherstall Road South. A reception starts from 6pm with the dinner at 7pm.

Two invitation-only events are scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.

Inspiring women in business is the topic of an afternoon event at 2pm at Gallery Oldham on May 20. Speakers will include difital entrepreneur Farhana Rahman.

A Chadderton Business Networking Lunch on May 21, will focus on broadband vouchers, apprenticeships and business support for local firms. The venue is Mantra Learning on Greengate in Middleton.

Oldham Library will host an Export Week Business Breakfast on May 22 (8am) with speaker Lisa Tomlinson, marketing director of the family-owned GGR Group. Oldham businesses which would like to trade internationally are encouraged to attend.

And on May 29 the festival will close with a Business Growth Hub lunch at the GM, Oldham’s University Technical College. The Growth Hub provides advice and funding information to small and medium-sized Greater Manchester businesses with good potential to grow.