Made in Rochdale prize winners

Made in Rochdale 2008

Heywood Civic Centre was bustling at the end of last month, when more than forty local women entrepreneurs, including Rochdale Online’s Pauline Journeaux, showcased their businesses to 450 potential buyers at the third Made in Rochdale Trade Fair. All had received support from the Women into Enterprise project (WEI) and were members of the Rochdale Women’s Enterprise Network.

Exhibitors covered a range of sectors including toymaking, finance, web design, beauty, craft and holistic therapies. There was also a vibrant art exhibition featuring local artists under the banner “The Wonderwall”.

Rochdale Borough Council Head of Regeneration, Penny Sharp opened the event and keynote speaker was local businesswoman, Nicola Shindler, Founder of Red Productions Film Company in Manchester. Nicola used her own story and the challenges she faces as a working mum to inspire the fledgling businesswomen that success was open to all if they continued to believe in their ideas. MP Jim Dobbin and other councillors also visited and were keen to offer advice and support to exhibitors. The best dressed stand prize went to Fresh and Fruity market gardeners and winners of the free prize draws were:

• L Alletson of Middleton (Patsy Allen voucher)
• F Barnes of Heywood (Serenity voucher)
• J Miles of Bamford (Jane’s Originals voucher)
• J Burrows of Norden (Time Out Treatments voucher)

All winners received £25 to spend with an exhibitor of their choice.

Barbara Davidson, WEI Manager said: “Rochdale gets such a lot of bad press; events like this demonstrate that a great deal of creativity and strong work ethic exists within our community and helps us to encourage people to take women’s businesses seriously. A lot of these women work from home and don’t have the opportunity to showcase their products. From the feedback we received, the exhibitors saw this day as a useful tool for raising awareness of their products and services and many key contacts were made. It appears, too, that sales on the day were up from last year, which is pleasing. We hope now that with the quarterly network evenings and their own network newsletter, the 400-strong Rochdale Women’s Enterprise network of local businesswomen will go from strength to strength and hopefully run a similar event next year.”

Call Jane, Sharon or Barbara at WEI on 01706 646471 for help and more information on starting your own business or joining the network or drop in to their offices at the Employment Links Centre 99-101 Drake Street to make an appointment.