Oldham Enterprise Week returns to celebrate business innovation

Events designed to shine a light on Oldham’s entrepreneurial spirit are taking place across the town centre and have included talks with business leaders, debates, pitching events and a coffee morning.

This year’s event, run by Oldham Enterprise Trust, has focused primarily on social enterprises - both new ideas and existing businesses that benefit the community.

Anwar Ali OBE, co-founder of Upturn, said: “What a great opportunity for Oldham’s growing social enterprise community to again be part of what will be an amazing week showcasing social businesses, celebrating our collective business successes and finally highlighting the great opportunities just around the corner for all Oldham businesses working together so we can create an Oldham economy that works for everyone.”

Other well-known Oldham faces are set to be involved in the event, including Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell.

Mr Rothwell said: “As Oldham’s Businesses Ambassador I have been out and about visiting Oldham businesses – both large and small and young and old – and have been greatly heartened by the energy, determination and enterprise of these businesses.”

On Wednesday Sounds of the Suburbs was took place at Oldham Library, which provided a platform to debate the future of music industry in Oldham.

Dave Benstead, chair of Oldham Enterprise, said: “The little brother of our month-long Festival for Business in September, Oldham Enterprise Week still serves to remind us and highlight the entrepreneurial spirit and the wide range of business support that abounds in Oldham.

“Oldham Enterprise Trust is proud to support the enterprise ecosystem of Oldham.”

Oldham Enterprise Week is then set to conclude tomorrow (March 31) with the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Workshop, an event for 18 to 30-year-olds that will cover how to turn a new business idea into a reality.

More information on the full programme of events is available here.