Special guests on menu

A GLITTERING opening weekend welcomed Oldham diners to one of the newest restaurants in town.

Oldham actress and writer Shobna Gulati was the special guest on hand to cut the ribbon at Indish Bar Restaurant and Grill, Jardine Way, Broadway.

She was joined by local councillors, business people and Oldham Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy and the club’s departing manager Joe Royle during its VIP evening on Sunday.

Fire eaters and a firework display were highlights of the official launch on Bank Holiday Monday.


Bosses calling it a day

A BIG rise in voluntary liquidations revealed in new official insolvency statistics indicate that, faced with the gloomy economic outlook, many directors have decided to pack in the business of their own accord.

The statistics show that in the first quarter of 2009, Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) rose to 3,362 — up by 62.5 per cent on the same period in 2008.

Matt Dunham, North-West regional chairman of insolvency trade body R3, said: “A CVL is the mechanism by which company directors voluntarily wind up their own company.

“In good times it is generally used for companies which are no longer viable or those working on projects which have come to an end.

“We believe that in this case there have been numerous company directors who have come into the New Year, seen the gloomy economic outlook, and have simply decided to call it a day.”


Extra help on offer

A NEW service providing employers in the North-West with easy access to free advice and support has been launched as part of the Government’s commitment to provide real help now for business.

The service aims to simplify access to information to help employers improve and grow their businesses, and encourage them to develop a more highly skilled and qualified workforce. By contacting Business Link on 0845-600 9006, employers can talk to a local broker who will give advice about what specific training could help the business thrive.

The broker can explain where courses are on offer, direct them to suitable local training providers and explain how to access funding.


John’s top role at golf resort

AN Oldham businessman has been appointed to head the sales and marketing team at one of the UK’s most prestigious golf and leisure resorts.

John Mills (40), from Chadderton, has been hired by Pure Leisure Group to market the Tydd St Giles golf and leisure resort near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

John, whose family live in Failsworth and Chadderton, has more than 20 years experience in the leisure and hospitality industry working on luxury developments in Mexico, the US, Spain and the Canary Islands.

Pure Leisure, established over 20 years ago in the Lake District, is the market leader in the UK holiday home sector and also own the Royal Westmoreland Golf and Leisure Resort in Barbados.

A lifelong Oldham Athletic fan, Mr Mills believes the UK holiday home industry will boom, adding: “The weakening pound and the strength of the euro means more people will be looking to take a ‘staycation’ in the UK but they still want value for money, top quality and style.

“People are getting fed up with all this doom and gloom. We want to punch the crunch and take the holiday market up a level.”