Businesses boosted by growth study

OLDHAM has come fourth in a list of the top areas for business potential in the UK.

Information services company Experian reviewed accounts for 150,000 businesses between 2008-2011. These figures revealed the towns and cities that saw greatest sales growth.

Oldham businesses recorded an average 10 per cent sales growth between 2008-2011, with a peak of 30 per cent.

Dr Brian Sloan, chief economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is pleasing to see Oldham is experiencing one of the better levels of growth.

“Connectivity is so important and firms will have benefited from the recent completion of Metrolink to the town and it will also enable better access to jobs outside the borough for others.”

Manufacturing of rubber and plastic goods topped the table with 39 per cent of businesses in the sector recording high growth rates in 2011. Other improving sectors included the manufacture of machinery and equipment followed by fabricated metal products.