Entrepreneurs joined forces to celebrate the launch of Start Up Huddle Oldham.

Start up huddles are part of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and are up and running in more than 50 cities worldwide.

Oldham’s was launched by Cllr Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet member for employment and enterprise, who said: “Whether you’ve got an idea you want to get off the ground or you’re already in business, the start up huddle is here to help.

“So many of our residents have the talent and potential to run their own business. This new group is a chance to surround yourself with like-minded people and take those next important steps to support your business to grow and thrive.”

Oldham’s start up huddle has been launched as a partnership effort from Oldham Enterprise Trust, Action Together, Oldham Library’s new Build a Business programme and Fresh Beleaf Integrity CIC – a local social enterprise.

At its heart is a community of start-up businesses that engage with, and support, each other. The local authority also hopes it will open up the possibility of working alongside start up huddles all over the world.

The borough's start up huddle will meet every month at Oldham Library. For those who are already an entrepreneur or run an established business, it is a place to discover solutions to the challenges through engagement with a wide range of voices from the local community.

It is also a place where people can give back to the community by sharing advice, knowledge and expertise with the future entrepreneurs and businesses of Oldham.

It is free to take part and people are invited to give a six-minute presentation about their business or project.

Each presentation is followed by a short question and answer session where the community provides ideas, connections and feedback their ideas and suggestions.

The next session takes place at Oldham Library on Wednesday, November 3 between 4.15pm and 5.30pm. They take place on the first Wednesday of every month.

To attend visit the Start Up Huddle Oldham webpage at genglobal.org/huddle-locations/oldham.