#HereForBusiness support package available for Oldham companies

Businesses in Oldham facing challenges with increasing costs can access high quality support right on their doorstep with the new #HereForBusiness campaign.

GC Business Growth Hub has launched this new support package to help local businesses to manage the increasing cost of doing business, together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Greater Manchester Business Board (LEP), local authorities and business representative organisations.

#HereForBusiness brings together support and practical solutions for Oldham’s business community, which includes 1,735 SMEs, to help them deal with energy price rises and other increasing costs.

With a dedicated advisor on the ground in Oldham, the support can be tailored to local challenges and opportunities.

A number of drop-in sessions are being held for Oldham businesses to find out more about the support on offer.

The next two sessions are taking place on:

Thursday, January 19, from 9am to 11am, at Oldham Library, Greaves Street

Thursday, January 26, from 9am to 12am, at Oldham Library, Greaves Street

Contact a #HereForBusiness advisor on 0161 237 4128, email: hereforbusiness@growthco.uk for more information or to book a 1-2-1 session.

Or visit the dedicated website - https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/here-for-business - that has been launched for the campaign which includes useful information and advice on what support is available, blogs and case studies.

Check the website for updates to the programme and details of new drop-in sessions.

Support being offered by #HereForBusiness includes:

A series of webinars and Strive & Thrive workshops which will help companies develop a plan to respond to the current economic situation, focusing on areas such as energy management, financial planning, and people and cost management. A library of previous webinars is available to view on the website.

A Strive & Thrive workshop in Oldham will take place at Oldham Library’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, Greaves Street, on January 24 between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, focusing on financial resilience and aimed at businesses that provide everyday essential services, such as food retail, care sector, health and beauty and retail.

One to one support from advisors, supporting businesses with practical solutions to the immediate challenges businesses are facing, along with longer-term planning, bespoke to their sector.

Access to Finance, which works with businesses to understand their costs, their cashflow and their income patterns with the aim of helping business owners understand where efficiencies can be made, where costs can be reduced and enabling the finance cycle to work in the best way for the business.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Employment and Enterprise, said: “Oldham’s businesses have already shown so much resilience through the challenges of recent years, but the difficulties we are all facing this winter with energy bills and other increasing costs can seem overwhelming.

"That is why it is so important that there are schemes like #HereForBusiness to signpost the right support.

“If you have any concerns about the immediate future, whether it is with regards to paying bills, achieving growth, reducing costs or improving productivity, there are high quality resources available right on your doorstep for you. Now is the best time to start to take advantage of what’s out there.”

Lou Cordwell, Chair of the Greater Manchester Business Board (pictured above), said: “During difficult times, businesses in Greater Manchester have always pulled together and supported each other.

"The cost-of-living crisis is exactly the kind of situation where that collective support is so crucial.

"The help provided through the #HereForBusiness campaign could be the difference between a long, hard winter and being able to plan for growth.

"Business leaders in Oldham should get in touch today to see what resources they can access.”

Janine Smith, Director of the GC Business Growth Hub, said: “As we head towards winter, rising energy bills and supply chain prices are causing real challenges for businesses here in Oldham and around the country.

"But support is available and it’s crucial to act sooner rather than later to start to access this help rather than wait until the new year when the situation could be even more difficult.

“#HereForBusiness has resources and tailored support available for businesses, whatever they are facing right now, whether it’s focusing on getting through this current crisis or planning for how to keep their growth plans on track with an uncertain landscape ahead of them.

"It’s available in various formats to suit your needs and availability and the local expertise to make a real difference.”

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