Oldham start-ups get digital hub support

SHAKE on it . . . Carl Taylor (Jack's Smokehouse) and John Townsend (OBLG)

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TWO young Oldham technology businesses are among the first six to be chosen for support by Wayra UK at the new digital hub on Yorkshire Street.

Offer Moments and JobSkilla were among the group of young enterprises who met Prince Andrew during his visit yesterday.

Offer Moments specialises in electronic billboards for shopping malls and high streets which display instant promotional messages tailored to individual passers-by, based on their social media activity. The business was founded by Abdul Alim and Shahzad Mughal.

Abdul (34), from Coldhurst, said: "I'm a tech 'geek' who came up with the smart billboard idea while sitting in my garage, eating popcorn and talking about technology with Shahzad. We have built the smartest electronic billboard in the world and this new digital hub will make Oldham a smart town."

JobSkilla has been launched by husband-and-wife team Chris and Lisa Hughes, from Shaw; Luke Greaves and Mel Jones, and Danny Mills, of Oldham digital firm North Planet.

Their online service offers skills and funded training information for job-seekers, training providers and advisers.

Lisa (35) said: "We want to make JobSkilla the first thing online that anyone who is unemployed will look at for skills and training."

Delighted
Telefonica's Jonny Shipp (46) said: "I've been with Telefonica for years and I'm delighted to be involved with this project.

"It's really interesting to meet these young businesses and I hope to remain involved as a mentor."

Carl Taylor, the owner of Jack's Smokehouse restaurant, has a technology background with O2 and Telefonica in Oldham.

Carl said: "With good transport links, affordable accommodation and other regeneration projects, Oldham was seen as the perfect place for this type of hub."