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Locals invited to meet Rochdale's latest entrepreneurs at showcase event

To celebrate and support local start-ups during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Rochdale locals are invited to meet the region’s latest entrepreneurs at a business showcase event.

Blue Orchid, one of the UK’s largest providers of free business support, has organised the event to give Rochdale residents the opportunity to meet and support new local businesses that have recently been supported by Blue Orchid, as part of a three year business support package funded by ERDF and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. It’s also a chance for the new entrepreneurs to talk about their businesses, and the support they have received, as well as exhibit and sell their goods and services for the first time.

The event takes place on Wednesday 20th November at 10.00am to 4.00pm at the award winning No. 1 Riverside venue - a newly built multi-purpose building that houses a public library, a ‘one-stop-shop’ for residents and offices.

Jan Melia team leader at Blue Orchid said: “It’s fantastic that we have so much entrepreneurial talent here in Rochdale. The event has been organised to support our new local businesses, providing them with a platform to showcase their offerings to the public. It’s also an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to share valuable insights with people wanting to set up their own business.”

Blue Orchid is also using the event to launch Open for Business - a series of free weekly business advice and support drop in sessions that will be taking place at No. 1 Riverside, in collaboration with the library service. The mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Rush, will be officially launching the scheme at 12.00pm.

Led by experienced professionals, Open for Business will cover everything from social media to getting the right finance, and will provide invaluable support to entrepreneurs thinking about setting up their own business or those that are already self-employed and need some professional support.

Every Thursday, locals and small business owners will have the chance to speak to Blue Orchid business advisors to get free support, advice and guidance on a range of business topics, as well as local business experts. Entrepreneurs can drop in at any time between 10.00am and 1.00pm to speak to local experts for advice on a wide range of specialist topics such as accountancy, marketing and SEO. At least once a month, a representative from one of the major banks, such as Santander, Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest, will be available to discuss finance options with potential entrepreneurs in a relaxed, informal environment.

Jan Melia added: “There are many issues to overcome both in starting a business and sustaining that business during tough times. It can be quite daunting for people to find out all the correct information they need and they often feel isolated. Open for Business sessions will allow people to drop in and speak directly to one of our advisors or a business specialist in a relaxed and friendly environment. To be given the opportunity to do this in such a truly unique building as No1 Riverside is fantastic.”

Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Customer Services, said: “Our libraries are the perfect place for anyone who would like to start their own business and would like practical help on the nuts and bolts of getting their business off the ground. Not only will they will be able to meet like-minded people they will be able to access high quality information and expert advice. Rochdale Council has worked with Blue Orchid for over four years. In that time, the dedicated staff from Blue Orchid have generated and supported a growing enterprise culture across our local communities. We welcome 20 of their clients to Number One Riverside on November 20th, and I would encourage people to visit and have a look at what they offer.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by PR Agency One .