For many years Oldham's economy was heavily dependent on manufacturing industry, especially textiles and mechanical engineering. But thanks to diversification and regeneration the Oldham economic picture is very different today. Manufacturing is still important to the local economy and accounts for significant percentage of Oldham's jobs. Many of these jobs are in hi-tech sectors like electronic and electrical and instrument engineering. Other significant employment sectors include retail, distribution, education, health and confectionery.
Oldham Town Centre continues to develop as a thriving retail centre. Indeed the Spindles Shopping Centre, with its neighbour Town Square Shopping Centre, is one of the largest indoor town centre shopping centres in the North West.
Manchester, the region's main centre for the press and media, is right on Oldham's doorstep. The Borough itself has an evening newspaper, the Oldham Chronicle, as well as the weekly Oldham Advertiser. There is also a local radio station - 96.2 The Revolution, based in the Borough.
Oldham's labour force provides diverse skills and with the business support and advice offered by both a dedicated Council Regeneration Department and Business Link services at Oldham Business Centre, the Borough offers strong selling points to new investors.
At Oldham Business Centre there is a wide range of business and training support services from a single point. Complementary support includes help to businesses seeking grant aid and assistance packages for organisations whose requirements may demand complex solutions. The Regeneration Department manages a comprehensive computer database of available sites and premises throughout the Borough which can be selected by type, size, terms and geographic location.
Oldham has a wide range of grant-aid packages available to companies wishing to take advantage of the Borough's location, workforce and infrastructure. Five first-class business and industrial parks, offer a variety of premises that are ideally sited for the motorway network and Manchester Airport.
The OldhamInfo website is the Oldham Partnership’s tool for sharing information about local services, research and statistics. It uses maps to help display statistics and review facilities and activities for local areas within Oldham. A range of partners were involved in the first phase of development and work is on-going to improve the site, the range of data available and the variety of partners involved.