Business Support

Last Updated 22nd July 2010

Rochdale Town Centre Management is committed to trying to help Town Centre businesses during the recession, so should any trader have a suggestion about how we or the Council can help to support them then please contact us as soon as possible to  see how we could take it forward. On a more positive note many town centre retailers have reported some gains on last year and footfall in general in the town has held its own in relation to other towns in the area.

The Business Link Northwest website has some very useful information on beating the credit crunch. It features guides on how to manage cash flow and access finance, on not cutting back on marketing, on managing people and investing in skills, and improving your business’s efficiency and performance. You can also find out how to get support for you business. If you do not have access to the internet please phone us and we can arrange a time for you to come into our office.

There are basically 2 packages of support that are currently available to any business located in Rochdale Borough free of charge.

1. Intensive Business Start Up

The first package of support is to new and start up businesses of any sector up to 36 months old called “Intensive Business Start Up”, This support is delivered by a business support organisation called Blue Orchid and funded by Rochdale MBC and the North West Development Agency (NWDA). Support includes free impartial advice from a dedicated 1-1 business advisor, access to a range of free business support workshops and networks and ongoing post-start support.

2. Solutions for Business

The other support available “Solutions for Business” - is through Business Link North West and is available to any Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) (less than 250 employees) located in the North West. The package of support ranges from business finance, innovation and efficiency, international trade, training and development.

Any business interested in accessing either of these services should contact Business Link North West on Tel: 0845 00 66 888.

If you need any help or advice, please phone us at Town Centre Management on 01706 926676 or email manager@rochdaletcm.co.uk. We will try and help in the best way we can, or point you in the right direction. 

BUSINESS SUPPORT EVENTS 

Times continue to be tough – so why not go along to one of these fantastic FREE workshops to help your business grow and develop? 

The below workshops will take place in Rochdale, and are offered by Blue Orchid. Blue Orchid provide a flexible programme of one-to-one Business Support, Coaching and Training to individuals across the North West who are seeking to start-up their own business, those facing redundancy or unemployed, and those seeking work. Places are limited, so to book a place please contact Blue Orchid on 01706 515710 or email: events@theblueorchid.co.uk

22/07/10 Exploring Enterprise (Hints and tips for starting your own Enterprise)

28/07/10 Book-keeping (Understanding accounts and using spreadsheets)

05/08/10 Exploring Enterprise (Hints and tips for starting your own Enterprise)

01/09/10 Sales and Marketing for your Business (Targeting customers and choosing the right Marketing for your business)

02/09/10 Newly Self-Employed (Help with self-employment issues such as registering with HMRC, record keeping, and Tax payments)

09/08/10 Business Planning Course (One-day comprehensive Business workshop)

06/09/10 Business Planning Course (One-day comprehensive Business workshop)

22/09/10 Twitter (How to use Twitter for your business)

07/10/10 Business Expenses and Capital Allowances for the Self-Employed (Understanding how Expenses and Capital Allowances affect your profit)

Visit the Blue Orchid website for further information: http://www.theblueorchid.co.uk/

Click here for more information about local Business Support services and events.