Digital hub: The future is now

OFFICIAL opening of Wayra UK's Open Future North offices at Digital Hub, Oldham with Councillor Jean Stretton

OLDHAM'S new digital hub is officially open for business.

The town centre venue in the redeveloped former Wahoo club on Yorkshire Street aims to nurture new technology-based firms.

Building work began at the site in September 2016 and the redevelopment was part of a £1 million investment by Oldham Council to help smaller businesses develop in the town centre's Independent Quarter.

The hub's primary aim is to help entrepreneurs launch and expand technology businesses, which will create more jobs and foster wider economic growth. It is home to a number of businesses and organisations including Open Future North and Hack Oldham.

The site's upper floor includes Wayra UK's Open Future North office, which is the northern branch of Wayra's national support network for technology firms, backed by the worldwide O2/Telefonica Group.

Technology

Wayra UK is currently working with over 25 British businesses and has other offices in London and the Midlands. Its Oldham base will serve Greater Manchester and the wider north of England.

Key figures behind the hub development and support from Wayra UK include Carl Taylor, now the owner of Jack's Smokehouse restaurant who previously worked in technology, accountant John Townsend, who is connected to Oldham Business Leadership Group, and former council leader Jim McMahon, now an MP.

Gary Stewart, director of Wayra UK, spoke about the importance of supporting people and businesses in poorer areas, especially outside London.

He grew up in the Bronx, New York, and said it was vital that business, investment and technology expertise was available to all. He paid tribute to the Oldham group for encouraging Wayra UK to spread its work beyond London.

Councillor Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council, was at the opening and said: "I'm delighted that this fantastic facility is now open. It looks great and there's a real creative feel to the place.

"It's so important that we help local, grassroots entrepreneurs and this new venture will bring together the talent, inspiration and investment needed to create a launch pad for new businesses, as well as energising and supporting the local economy."

Two Oldham firms, JobSkilla and Offer Moments, are among the first start-ups to be chosen by Wayra UK for support at the hub.

JobSkilla was launched by husband-and-wife team Chris and Lisa Hughes from Shaw. They have developed an online service offering information on skills and training courses for job-seekers and training organisations.

Lisa took part in a panel discussion with other businesses at the launch and said: "We are so pleased to be one of the first northern businesses picked for this support and for our base to be here.

"Everything that's happening here symbolises exactly what we are about and what we are going to promote.

"We would not have developed as quickly as we have without the support of Wayra UK.The support is fantastic."

Others involved with JobSkilla's development include Luke Greaves, Mel Jones and Danny Mills, from Oldham town centre digital firm North Planet.

The second Oldham business to be selected by Wayra UK is Offer Moments, founded by Abdul Alim, from Coldhurst, and Shahzad Mughal.

They specialise in electronic billboards for shopping malls and high streets which display instant promotional messages to passers-by based on their social media activity.

The digital hub's ground floor and basement have desks and workshops for hire, and has become the new home of the Hack Oldham technology and design group.

Hack Oldham founder Andy Powell, a Pride in Oldham award winner, said: "This is a fantastic space and everyone who has visited it has been overwhelmed by it.

"It has a light, airy feel with some industrial architectural features. We will add slogans to the walls and the appearance will change over time depending on the activities.

"People who register can book desk or workshop space on a daily, half-day or monthly basis. It'll be a great place to work and to network.

"For people working from home, it'll be a great alternative space for them. There is tea and coffee, meeting rooms, a training room and an event space."

He said the building will initially be open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with the ultimate aim of opening from 9am to 9pm, seven days a week.

Hack Oldham will hold its opening ceremony in a couple of weeks and Prince Andrew is due to visit the hub this summer.

• Check out more pictures of the Digital Hub launch on our picture sales page.