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Once dominated by big employers, the Borough of Oldham is now fertile ground for small, growing companies. The factory and mill buildings that once provided jobs for thousands of townsfolk have become enterprise hotspots for a new generation of businesses.
The Council-owned Falcon Business Centre, which provides 4,646 sq m (50.000 sq ft) of high quality office, studio and workshop space in a converted velvet mill, exemplifies the corporate creativity that is now a feature of Oldham’s business life.
Nearly 70 enterprises currently operate from the Centre, among them IT and TV companies, accountants and printers. They employ almost 400 people and generate a turnover estimated at over £30 million. “Most of that turnover will feed back into the local economy,” says Centre Manager John Williams.
The Council, and its private sector partners, have made great strides in recent years providing the physical infrastructure and support services to exploit the town’s emerging entrepreneurial instincts. Small firms can also access a number of locally and regionally administered grant-aid packages.
With the opening in 2000 of the purpose-built Oldham Business Centre located in the heart of the town’s commercial quarter the Borough now has six centres offering managed work space to home grown SMEs and those investors seeking to move into the town.
Oldham Business Centre provides 4,640 sq m (50,000sq ft) of high quality business space on a variety of flexible terms. At present its services include Chamber Business Connections, Business Link North Manchester, the Council’s Regeneration Department, a Lifelong Learning Study Centre and Oldham Business Management School.
At the Acorn Centre, a former Ferranti facility in Derker, also owned by the Council, small businesses can move into larger units as they expand. Specialist printers Self Style, one of over 60 Acorn tenants, has seen its accommodation needs rise from 24 sq m to 202 sq m (270 sq ft to 2,250 sq ft).
Both the Acorn and Falcon Business Centres offer “easy-in, easy-out” monthly tenancies and a range of support services including typing, faxing, photocopying, 24-hour security and coffee-shop facilities.
Firms outgrowing the centres have a choice of five first-class business and industrial parks, notably Oldham Broadway, Salmon Fields and Brookside.
The Council is also a joint venture partner with the Meridian Development Company in three other business centres, Meridian, Hollinwood and Saddleworth which collectively provide 13,935 sq m (150,000 sq ft) of office and workshop space on low-cost terms. The centres enjoy full occupancy with 180 companies employing over 600 people.
THE ACORN CENTRE
Barry Street,
Oldham
OL1 3NE
Tel: 0161 626 3670
Fax: 0161 785 8588
Centre Manager:
John Williams
FALCON BUSINESS CENTRE
Victoria Street,
Chadderton,
Oldham
OL9 0HB
Tel: 0161 633 2000
Fax: 0161 633 8332
Centre Manager:
John Williams
MERIDIAN BUSINESS CENTRE
King Street,
Oldham
OL8 1EZ
Tel: 0161 287 6940
Fax: 0161 624 2389
Centre Manager:
Craig Pickering
OLDHAM BUSINESS CENTRE
Cromwell Street,
Oldham
OL1 1BB
Reception Tel: 0161 770 4001
Centre Manager: Steve Hopley
SADDLEWORTH BUSINESS CENTRE
Huddersfield Road,
Delph,
Oldham
OL3 5DF
Tel: 01457 820022
Fax: 01457 830033
Centre Manager:
Craig Pickering
HOLLINWOOD BUSINESS CENTRE
Albert Street,
Hollinwood,
Oldham
OL8 3QP
Tel: 0161 684 2319
Fax: 0161 684 2318
Centre Manager:
Craig Pickering
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