Press Release – Oldham Enterprise Week 27th to 31st March 2023
For the second year Oldham Enterprise Trust presents “Oldham Enterprise Week” – a programme of events and activities celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of this great town. A town named one of the top ten most entrepreneurial in the UK. This year’s focus is mainly upon Social Enterprises and includes: –
- The opportunity for potential new social enterprise start-ups to get a £250 Test Trading Grant from Oldham Enterprise Trust.
- Events supporting existing social enterprises.
- Information on the £2million Proper Good Social Investment fund.
- Information on Oldham Enterprise Trust’s £1,000 Grants to young Oldham entrepreneurs.
The week’s programme also includes (see programme below for locations, timings and booking details)
- Oldham Library’s Build a Business Start Up Coffee Morning
- The Business Growth Hub’s Here for Business Drop In with Oldham Account Manager Eleri Roberts
- Our annual Be Your Own Boss programme for the Business and Enterprise students at Oldham College who can pitch for a £250 Test Trading Grant
- The Prince’s Trust “What’s Involved in Enterprise” workshop open to all aged 18 to 30 and thinking of starting a business; and
- The Sounds of the Suburbs debate of the future of live music in Oldham
Oldham Enterprise Chair Dave Benstead said “The little brother of our month-long Festival for Business in September, Oldham Enterprise Week still serves to remind us and highlight the entrepreneurial spirit and the wide range of business support that abounds in Oldham. Oldham Enterprise Trust is proud to support the enterprise ecosystem of Oldham”
Oldham Business Ambassador Frank Rothwell said “As Oldham’s Business Ambassador I have been out and about visiting Oldham businesses – both large and small and young and old – and have been greatly heartened by the energy, determination, and enterprise of these businesses. Oldham Enterprise Week shows that Oldham is “An Enterprising Place” and that an enterprising spirit is alive and kicking in the town”
Oldham Social Enterprise Ambassador Anwar Ali OBE of Upturn said, “What a great opportunity for Oldham’s growing social enterprise community to again be part of what will be an amazing week showcasing social businesses, celebrating our collective business successes and finally highlighting the great opportunities just around the corner for all Oldham businesses working together so we can create an Oldham economy that works for everyone”.
For more information contact Oldham Enterprise Trust Manager Graham McKendrick by telephone on 07515188974 or by e-mail to graham.mckendrick@oldham.gov.uk
Oldham Enterprise Week Programme 27th to 31st March 2023
Date | Event Name | Summary of event | Location | Time | Target audience |
Monday 27/3/23 | Frank Rothwell – Oldham’s Business Ambassador at Large | Frank will be visiting Town Centre businesses and launching Oldham Enterprise Week 2023 at a visit to the Fox and Pine pub – one of Oldham’s brightest new Town Centre businesses. Frank will also speak about his passion for business and his role as Oldham’s Business Ambassador on Oldham Community Radio on Tuesday’s Oldham Today show. | Oldham Town Centre | 12 noon at Oldham Community Radio and 1pm at Fox and Pine | All Oldham businesses |
| Inspiring Social Enterprise Grant Business Canvas preparation day | Supporting potential Social Enterprises to start their business planning prior to pitching for a Test Trading Grant. Contact graham.mckendrick@oldham.gov.uk | Oldham Library | 1pm to 4pm | Social Enterprise start ups | |
Tuesday 28/3/23 | Drop in to find out about the business support available from the Library’s Build a Business team | Oldham Library | 10 to 12 noon | New Start Ups | |
Wednesday 29/3/23 | Access to funds and becoming investment ready | Information on accessing funding for Social Enterprises. For more details and registration follow this link Access to funds and becoming investment ready | Oldham Library | 12 to 2pm | Social Enterprises |
| Sounds of the Suburbs | A debate about the future of all live music and the associated music industry in Oldham. Find out more here – Sounds of the Suburbs | Oldham Library | 7pm to 9pm | Music lovers! | |
Thursday 30/3/23 | Oldham College Business and Enterprise students pitch for test trading grants of £250 from Oldham Enterprise Trust | Oldham College | 1pm to 3.30pm | Oldham College’s Business and Enterprise students | |
| BGH Here for Business Drop In | Drop in for an informal, friendly chat and find out more about the challenging context businesses are operating in, what actions your business can take and what support you can access through the Business Growth Hub to navigate through the uncertain times ahead. | Oldham Library | 9am to 11am – just drop in! | Oldham SMEs and Start Ups | |
| Inspiring Social Enterprise Pitching Day | Potential Social Enterprises pitch for a test trading grant of £250 from Oldham Enterprise Trust Contact graham.mckendrick@oldham.gov.uk | Oldham Library | 1pm to 4pm | Social Enterprise start ups | |
Friday 31/3/23 | Prince’s Trust “What’s Involved in Enterprise?” | This Enterprise programme helps 18 to 30-year-olds turn their big ideas into a business reality. With so much advice, guidance, and support on offer for budding entrepreneurs by this in-person support programme. If you are aged 18 to 30 and have a business start-up idea then book on here Prince’s Trust – Enterprise Workshop Tickets, Fri 31 Mar 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite | Oldham College | 10am to 4pm | Eligible Oldham Enterprise Trust applicants and any potential young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30. If eligible attendees can also apply for a £1,000 grant from Oldham Enterprise Trust |