Popular Oldham town centre coffee shop is up for prestigious national award

One of Oldham’s favourite coffee spots is in line for a prestigious award – and you could be in with a chance of winning as well with £1,500-worth in Oldham Gift Cards up for grabs.

Rhode Island Coffee in Spindles Shopping Centre has been at the heart of Oldham’s community for more than 15 years.

Now, thanks to their winning blend of friendly staff, great coffee and loyal customers, they have been nominated in the national UK’s Favourite Local Business competition, sponsored by Miconex.

Founded by Raj Ruia in 2004, Rhode Island Coffee is a family run, independent chain of coffee shops with eight locations in the North West - Altrincham, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Crewe, Oldham, Stockport and Warrington.

Raj said: “Our Oldham coffee shop is at the centre of the community and has been for 15 years.

"We’re located right at the entrance to the Spindles Shopping Centre, a central meeting point for friends, and a place for people looking for a bit of me-time.

"People can lead busy and difficult lives and time out for themselves is vital to their wellbeing.”

Rhode Island Coffee is part of the newly introduced Oldham Gift Card, introduced by Oldham Council to lock spend into the community and support ‘shop local’.

Raj said the gift card taps into consumer desire to support local businesses, adding: “There is a real sense of community in Oldham that you sometimes don’t see in other towns or cities and it has a strong commercial offer.

"It also benefits from lots of office workers which has a positive impact on footfall.

"Consumers like to support local businesses now, and we’re part of the Oldham Gift Card because it’s a community initiative that enables people to experience a variety of local businesses.

“We’re proud and delighted to be nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business which is testament to our incredibly loyal customers.”

Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and attractions in Oldham – and right across the UK – are all eligible to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024.

People can nominate their favourite local business in the competition free at: lovelocalwin.co.uk, giving the name of the local business they think deserves to win and a reason. 

The UK’s Favourite Local Business will be the business who has the most nominations and will win a £500 Town and City Gift Card, such as the Oldham Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winning business receiving a £1000 Town and City Gift Card.

Businesses can find out more about the competition online.

Fintech Miconex, founders of the Town and City Gift Card concept, is sponsoring the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024.

Over 20,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programmes around the world with over £30m spent locally through the cards. 

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex. He said: “Rhode Island is an example of a home-grown UK business that is continuing to grow and develop by playing an active role in their community and differentiating their brand through product and service.

"The value that local businesses bring to our towns and cities shouldn’t be underestimated.

"Please keep on voting for your Favourite Local Business.”

Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk

The competition closes on October 31, 2024.

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