Firm plans 175 acts of kindness

Anniversary pledge to support community
OLDHAM’S oldest company is celebrating its 175th birthday by pledging to support community projects.

Emanuel Whittaker, which built many of the town’s landmarks, has promised to carry out 175 “little acts of kindness” during the year.

The Rochdale Road company was founded by Emanuel Whittaker, Mayor of Oldham in 1873.

His father, George, was also a master builder and constructed Oldham Lyceum as well as many local cotton mills.

In 1849, Emanuel was the first person in Oldham to have steam-driven sawing and woodworking machinery. He won his first contract for a cotton mill in 1853 and also built Oldham Coliseum.

The firm survived the cotton famine of the 1860s, a serious fire at its factory in 1929, the 1930s recession and timber rationing during the Second World War.

Today it is owned by Clive Newton and John Gallagher and is involved in regeneration, refurbishment, construction and conversion projects and joinery manufacturing.

Managing director Mr Newton said: “As you would expect after 175 years in Oldham, we have close links with the community and many families who have worked for us through the generations.

“We supported 82 community projects and individuals in 2011 and we plan to more than double that to 175 to mark this 175th anniversary year.”

Last year the company donated £25,000 and more than 650 hours of employee time to various projects .

A 175th anniversary event will be held in September for the company’s 140 staff and their families.

The company has also launched a new website, www.emanuel-whittaker.co.uk, which includes its history.