Start-up and growth

Local advice

For local advice you can get in touch with our Business Liaison Louise Slater, or the other North West-based support agencies.

Enterprise Club

Brings together a range of organisations that can provide direct support for anyone looking to set up as business such accountants, solicitors, business support organisations such as Blue Orchid. 

The meetings take place alternate Mondays at 2.00pm at University Centre Oldham. 

Free and open to anyone looking to start a business in Oldham.

For more information contact Jonathan Phillips (Principal Officer Employment and Skills):

Business Growth Hub

A community for businesses in Greater Manchester which focuses on supporting and developing growth companies.

Get help with:

  • Accessing finance
  • Expanding your markets
  • Developing new products and services
  • Building your new business network
  • Developing leadership skills
  • Explore marketing opportunities
  • Improving productivity
  • Product development

Contact:

Local Enterprise Agency - Blue Orchid

Free support funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provided by Blue Orchid.

Includes an extensive programme of workshops on business planning, marketing and sales, and book keeping.

Access one-to-one business advice and support from professional business advisors.

Special consultancy for new businesses on how to improve business performance and overcome the challenges of building a sustainable business is also on offer.

Tender for Council business

For information on the tendering process, advertising contracts and supplier selection contact the Procurement Team.

General advice

For more general advice about starting a business, try any of the following organisations.

StartUp Britain

Everything you need to know about starting up in one place.

Gov.uk

Gov.uk has information about starting up and running businesses in the UK.

DWP Enterprise Allowance

Supports local residents into self employment by offering people who have been on Job Seekers Allowance for 6months or more a 26 week allowance, access to a mentor and loan fund up to £1,000.

For more information contact your jobcentre plus advisor.

18 - 30 StartUp Loans

Are you aged 18-30 and looking to start a business and become your own boss? If so, the Start-Up Loan has been tailor made for you. Start-Up Loans have been launched for young people who want to go their own way, work on their own terms and start a successful venture.

Access support with your business plan, services and expertise to help start your business:

Tax advice

You can call the Inland Revenue help line for newly self employed people on 0845 9154 505 (8.00am - 8.00pm).

The HM Revenue & Customs Tax Widget is a handy tool that provides advice for small businesses to help the get their tax right.

Tax Help  from  HMRC

Starting in business e-learning course 

E-learning course about starting a business, income tax, national insurance, business records and expenses

The Prince’s Trust

The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme supports unemployed young people aged 18 - 30 to work out if their business ideas are viable and whether self-employment is right for them.

Business mentoring

Mentorsme connects companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth.

If you are a business that needs support or a business professional who can offer support, they can help you connect with each other.

Growth Accelerator

The Business Growth Accelerator helps SMEs with a turnover of less than £40m to achieve growth of 20% year on year.

Experts work with business leaders to tackle issues such as: developing and delivering a tailored growth strategy, becoming investment ready and securing finance, commercialising innovation effectively, developing leadership and management capability.

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)

MAS provides manufacturing business support for companies based in England, helping them to improve and grow.

The service is designed to help manufacturers streamline processes, reduce waste, become more energy efficient and generally improve and grow their business.

Local advice

Contact Business Liaison Louise if you have any queries about starting up or growing your business in Oldham.

Tel 0161 770 1671