Home sweet home

OLDHAM is one the region’s hotspots for home businesses.
The 2009 Home Business Report, sponsored by BT, reveals that 11 towns and cities in the region are among the UK’s top 100 home business hotspots.

Manchester is fourth in the UK behind London, Bristol and Birmingham in a list which includes Oldham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Liverpool, Preston, Stockport, Warrington, Wigan and Wirral.

These firms are generating an estimated annual income of £26.1 billion for the North-West economy and this is set to rise as 89 per cent of UK home businesses expect to increase turnover next year.

However, they are missing out on vital advice and help because their success and growth is not being fully recognised.

A report by Enterprise Nation, itself a home-based business, says the awarding of grants and support from government, regional development agencies and business support bodies should be more dependent on growth in earnings, rather than growth in employees.

Nearly half of firms surveyed (45 per cent) plan to increase turnover by using freelancers and outsourcing, while 42 per cent intend to make better use of existing resources — and only 4 per cent will consider hiring full-time staff.


New look for website

PEARSON Hinchliffe Solicitors, a leading provider of legal services in Oldham and North Manchester, has launched a new-look website — www.pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk .

Regularly updated, the new site offers services to individuals, families, businesses and independent financial services.

Partner and medical negligence team leader John Pollitt said: “We have worked with a team of professionals to come up with a design which is cutting edge in terms of design yet simplified to the point where visitors don’t have to be tech savvy to find what they’re looking for.

“In today’s world, we wanted to make sure that we were leaders and not followers when it came to our online presence.

“We wanted to emphasise usability for clients and personalised service while balancing the many advantages of internet technology. Our new site allows for that.”

Muhammed Shaikh, Pearson Hinchliffe’s marketing manager, added: “We specifically looked at how we could create a website that focused on the needs of our online visitors.

“We hope the improved site will provide a helpful experience for visitors, an easy way to quickly find the initial information they need.

“Hundreds of people access our website every week and we want to ensure that they have a content-rich experience.

“We have even included three professional video presentations in high definition to give people who are new to Pearson Hinchliffe a friendly welcome and total confidence in the quality and range of expert services we offer.”


Festive networking

THERE is still time to book places for the Oldham Chamber of Commerce pre-Christmas lunch at the Bower Hotel, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, on Friday.

Chamber events manager Pauline Pawlykiwskyj said: “Start the Christmas celebrations in style by reserving your places at our Christmas networking lunch. There will be a drinks reception followed by a traditional festive lunch with lots of surprises. This is a great opportunity to reward your staff, treat your clients or just come and relax in a warm friendly environment.

“Don’t forget your business cards as there will be lots of opportunity for networking. Places will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Visit www.gmchamber.co.uk  to book online.