New Year, New Businesses! Local entrepreneurs urged to come forward to help revitalise town centre

New Year, New Businesses! Local entrepreneurs urged to come forward to help revitalise town centre

Local people in the borough of Rochdale are being urged to come forward with their business ideas as part of a new scheme aimed at inspiring future entrepreneurs.

The Together Enterprise project, run by the Co-operative College and supported by the Co-operative Group, is focused on helping members of the public set up their own co-operative business.

Indeed, it is a business model with proven success, as highlighted in the Co-operative Economy 2018 report.

Whilst only 44% of new businesses survive the notoriously difficult early years, 80% of co-operatives make it through, with many going on to become thriving businesses that enrich their local communities.

The first session, taking place at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum on Wednesday 16 January from 11am to 1pm, will focus on what makes co-ops a great model for any new business to follow. The sessions then continue throughout the Spring, covering all the basics involved in setting up a new business such as marketing, finance and how to develop a business plan.

All those involved in the project will then be matched with mentors to help develop their ideas further, with the long-term hope of inspiring new businesses to progress onto the vibrant Rochdale Market and then eventually into one of the vacant retail units on Drake Street.

Simon Parkinson, Chief Executive and Principal of the Co-operative College said: “As the birthplace of the modern co-operative movement, Rochdale is right at the heart of our plans for developing a new generation of co-operators. We’re delighted to be inspiring future entrepreneurs and will do all we can to bring their business ideas to life.”

A limited number of spaces remain for the 16 January session, with more information and details of how to book a free place available at:

• www.co-op.ac.uk/togetherenterprise