Leading the drive to be positive

A RECRUITMENT agency boss has spoken of his optimism for the borough.

Responding to the theme “Positive about Oldham” delivered by Chronicle editor Dave Whaley, Mark Clough spoke of his enthusiasm at a Chronicle-hosted seminar at University Campus Oldham.

Mr Clough, who has acquired the A1 Staff Agency to complement his existing Salford recruitment business, told more than 50 business people that he felt invigorated about the prospects not only for his business, but also for Oldham.

Mark was one of several enthusiastic speakers at the end of a presentation by Mr Whaley on the newspaper’s role in the future of our town.

Defending the Chronicle’s right to report the unflattering, and to be critical “when the occasion and times demand”, he insisted it was in the interest of everyone who holds dear the future of Oldham that the borough has a thriving evening newspaper.

“For that to happen we need your support — we need you to use our columns to promote your business and support Oldham,” he told his guests.

He outlined various initiatives taking place to ensure that the Chronicle not only interacts with its readers but remains relevant, and asked his audience of business people, academics and voluntary and Third Sector workers to play their part.

“We don’t have a crystal ball; we can’t possibly know everything that is going on. But you people, our readers, do. We need you tell us all the good-news stories that reflect well on the people of Oldham — for there a great many of them — and we want to play our part in making Oldham positive once again,” he added.

Mr Whaley was supported by Debbie Bridge, the head of University Campus Oldham, who welcomed everyone to the facility and pointed out that the site had 1,200 full and part-time students studying for degrees “right here in the heart of Oldham”.

Thanks to the support of Lloyds Banking Group, who were represented by relationship managers Jill Maude and Sheila Henshaw, all the guests enjoyed breakfast.

Mr Whaley promised that the Chronicle would host other breakfast gatherings — “when we have something to say” — to keep the town’s business community “engaged and informed” of developments at the newspaper.