Rochdale Town Centre Management is backing a campaign to support independent traders and find 30 of Rochdale’s small business gems.
Rochdale 30 is part of Rochdale Loves Small Business, the borough’s celebration of Small Business Saturday, which this year falls on 3 December.
Local accountant Ruth Pringle, who is heading up the campaign with support from Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Town Centre Management, Hopwood Hall College and the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, is calling on local small businesses to nominate themselves as the Rochdale 30.
The businesses selected will all feature in a social media campaign, with a different business being profiled each day on the Rochdale Loves Small Business Facebook page and on a number of local, regional and national twitter accounts in the run-up to Small Business Saturday.
Council leader Richard Farnell said: “Small businesses are an incredibly important part of our economy. They bring something unique and also benefit the community, with 70 per cent of every £1 spent in a small business going back into the local economy.
“We have some cracking small businesses here in Rochdale, so l’d encourage them to shout about it by nominating themselves as part of the Rochdale 30.”
Small businesses which either trade in the borough or are owned by somebody who lives in the borough are also being offered the chance to take a free stall in the Rochdale Exchange shopping centre on Small Business Saturday, with plans to bring them together as part of a unique market.
Ruth Pringle said: “As a small business owner, I know how challenging running your own business can be, so it’s important to take full advantage of events like Small Business Saturday. Both Rochdale 30 and the indoor market will give our hardworking small businesses, some of whom might trade from home, a rare opportunity to showcase their goods and promote their business to a wider audience. Hopefully people will support this campaign and discover a passion for small business that lasts a lifetime.”
Small Business Saturday is an annual celebration of independent businesses, which highlights the important role they play in their community and encourages people to use them.
Rochdale borough businesses who would like to nominate themselves as one of the Rochdale 30 can visit: http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/rochdale-loves-small-business/rochdale30
Small businesses wanting to take a stall on the market should visit: http://www.rochdaleexchange.co.uk/whats-on/small-business-market
27 Oct 2016