Group’s mission to promote Rochdale

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Some of the Rochdale Rochdale Rochdale members

A new group has been formed in a bid to support and promote Rochdale and the businesses within it.

‘Rochdale Rochdale Rochdale’ so far has over 30 members and was set up by John Byrne of Junction 21.

Mr Byrne, said: “There has been a fair bit of bad publicity about Rochdale for no reason. There are some fantastic businesses in Rochdale so we want to get together to promote ourselves as a body to represent Rochdale businesses, to help each other out with each others’ skills and to promote our own individual businesses.”

The members had their initial meeting on Monday (11 April 2011) afternoon, where they discussed how they can promote Rochdale as a vibrant business community, how they can promote their own organisations and how they can raise money for a Rochdale charity or non profit organisation.

It was agreed that now is the right time to launch this group because improvements within Rochdale are visible.

‘Rochdale Rochdale Rochdale’ has got a business profile courtesy of Rochdale Online to help raise awareness of the group and get more people involved. Membership is offered to those who live or work in Rochdale.

Mr Byrne continued: “There’s a variety of business and organisations involved and we expect to expand at a rapid rate.”

Speaking about the members, Mr Byrne said: “They’re a fantastic bunch – I couldn’t have hand picked a better group. It was a really exciting afternoon and very enjoyable.”

Stuart Sawle of Sysop, said: “I support the aims of the group to support business in Rochdale.

“I think we sorely miss a Rochdale Chamber of Commerce.

“A group of business people helping each other strikes me as a good idea.”

Howard Wilkinson of Howard Wilkinson Photography said he hoped the group would “fly the flag for Rochdale.”

Mr Wilkinson added: “I have lived and worked in Rochdale for a long time and I would like to help raise its profile.”

To find out more or join the group visit: The Rochdale Rochdale Rochdale web site