Innovation experts release e-guide to help businesses in Rochdale

Yvonne Grady, head of innovation at GC Business Growth Hub

A new e-guide has been released by GC Business Growth Hub to help businesses in Rochdale turn their ideas into sales.

The new guide ‘Unleashing your innovation’ reveals that from October 2015 to April 2021 the hub provided 2,600 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovation specific support across Greater Manchester.

It helped to create 467 jobs and introduce 132 new products to the market over the same period.

The hub team supports SMEs across the region to innovate, in sectors including manufacturing, health, digital and creative.

Now more businesses are being urged to access fully-funded expertise, specialist support and facilities, and innovation funding.

GC Business Growth Hub is part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Yvonne Grady, head of innovation at the hub, said: “Our region leads the way with innovation and our team is here to help businesses get new ideas moving.

“The pandemic hasn’t stopped innovation and our new e-guide is a great place to start if you are wondering how to challenge the status quo.

“Our support is available for established small to medium sized businesses in Rochdale and across the city region.

“We understand the difficulties in developing products and services, and we are here to help businesses overcome these challenges, make changes and grow.”

The eight-page guide highlights the factors firms need to consider on their innovation journey, and the facilities and fully-funded support that are available to them.

Businesses which the hub has helped are also featured, including Bury-based food wholesaler Dunsters Farm and Bolton-based Ease for You.

The guide is available at www.businessgrowthhub.com/innovation and the team can be contacted at BGHinnovation@growthco.uk.