Cast your eyes over a franchise

Alex Bowles.

UNEMPLOYED people can become self-employed through launching their own franchise business with help from workshops in the borough.

Franchising Works not only raises awareness of franchising, it helps through one-to-one sessions, and introduces promising candidates to approved franchisors.

Furthermore, it can provide financial assistance to people who do not have enough money to buy a franchise licence at the early stage.

Chris Smith, who works in Oldham for Franchising Works, said: “Franchising is a form of supported self-employment. The owner of an established business provides expertise, training and on-going support to allow another person to set up a similar business elsewhere.

“As a result, franchise businesses are three times more likely to be operating after five years than other start-ups.

“Oldham is high on our agenda, along with other boroughs such as Tameside.

“There is already a lot of good work going on here, with campaigns such as Get Oldham Working, and the regeneration of Oldham town centre.

“We work with organisations including JobCentres and get a lot of people attending our courses in central Manchester. However we want to make sure Oldham people get a chance to attend our free workshops in local venues such as Oldham Library.”

He said: “We explain to people how franchising works, discuss the industry and look at opportunities available.

“We look at the basics of running a business, help with business plans, prepare for the day-to-day running of a franchise and how to promote the key selling-points of a franchise.”

Mr Smith added: “I have worked in welfare-to-work activities for a number of years. I know the challenges that unemployed people face and what help they need to move on.

“Many long-term unemployed people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

“Franchising offers new opportunities which they may not have considered but which can be very successful. Franchising is a tried-and-tested business model.”

Mr Smith said the workshops can be demanding and candidates need the motivation to become self-employed.

But he sees people from all kinds of backgrounds having success with franchises across a range of sectors — from cleaning to estate agencies or tutoring. The scheme is also supported by the EU Regional Development Fund and the Shaftesbury Partnership, a UK organisation tackling unemployment and social disadvantage. Mr Smith can be contacted on 077860 775880 or visit franchisingworks.org.