Summer 2018 / Issue 11 Business EDGE Serious About Success

28 Display experts Ripple behind Topps Tiles store redesign 12 Raising our game 32 Grandes New council leader Sean Fielding on fotografias! Photographer’s Mata regeneration, the portraits take over Masterplan and Greater Spanish football magazine politics

19 Mass audience or niche targets? Panel debates social media in marketing

News | Analysis | Features | Opinion | People | Events Welcome to Oldham Business Edge OLDHAM BUSINESS EDGE NEWS - Send your news and photos to [email protected]

The Masterplan’s proposals had included bring more growth to north-eastern boroughs. Top accolade for Pearson Solicitors demolishing some well-known buildings, He also offers his views English regional including Queen Elizabeth Hall, to release devolution, Theresa May’s interest in the and Financial Advisers old sites for redevelopment. However Sean Midlands and the current state of the Northern Fielding says voters in this year’s local elections Powerhouse. OLDHAM law firm Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers were unhappy with some proposals and also celebrated yet another year of success after being awarded the a perceived lack of progress on some existing Elsewhere, we feature an Oldham Business prestigious Lexcel quality mark for the 16th year running. regeneration sites. So he wants other options Edge round-table discussion about using social explored, including more town centre housing. media for different business needs. Hosted After an exhaustive and detailed inspection of their files and by Ryder & Dutton, the discussion features office procedures, including interviews with solicitors and He also discusses council support for guests from different sectors exploring the staff, the Law Society’s practice management standard has businesses, economic opportunities and characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of been awarded in recognition of Pearson’s high standards in planning, and the allocation of industrial and different social media and issues such as social customer care and management. commercial land. media training and conduct. Anne Milne, an assessor from Lexcel, said, “Pearson is a In politics, he says Oldham Council has to We also have a round-up of the latest news, forward-looking firm which is planning ahead to develop and show energy and leadership. He wants a higher events and awards, including the tenth grow. The partners are not the traditional law firm partners profile for Oldham at Greater Manchester-level, anniversary Oldham Business Awards. WELCOME to the latest quarterly Oldham but balance their modern approach with the sound values of including the Greater Manchester Combined Business Edge magazine, published in print and professionalism and excellent standards of client care. Authority, and action to rebalance the north- Robbie MacDonald - Contributing Editor digital formats by the Oldham Chronicle Online south Greater Manchester divide. and Revolution 96.2. She added: “It was also good to see how happy people are to be working for Pearson, with new recruits feeling that Pearson Speaking frankly, he doubts that Oldham Enjoy the read and get in This edition includes an in-depth interview was the best firm they had ever worked for. This is reflected workers benefit from jobs created in south or touch with your news for with Sean Fielding, the new Leader of Oldham the good client feedback and the number of continued and west Greater Manchester, for example around the next edition. Joanne Ormston, partner and practice manager, with the latest Metropolitan Borough Council, who has returning clients.” Manchester Airport or Trafford Park. However Lexcel quality mark certificate ordered a review of the authority’s town centre he believes the Greater Manchester Spatial Send your news to: ‘Masterplan’ which proposes the regeneration Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession and Framework planning blueprint for the future can [email protected] “We received some great feedback recognising and redevelopment of five strategic sites, gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and offer a ‘golden opportunity’ to rebalance and totalling 21 acres, over the next 15 years. the firm for the improvements we are making business management standards. It is run by the Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. year-on-year. We are proud of our staff for their dedication and professionalism. Our clients Joanne added: “Looking after our clients’ needs with compassion and integrity is at the heart of what we do. To be appreciate the personal touch and friendly face of recognised for 16 years is certainly an achievement.” Oldham New law coupled with our ability to get the job done.” contact Lexcel-accredited firms are inspected annually and to gain accreditation, practices must undergo a rigorous application BusinessEDGE Joanne Ormston and assessment process. Serious About Success details

Address: Advertising: Revolution 96.2, Sarah Moor Studios, Rachael Mayor | Email: [email protected] Apprentice Emily hailed ‘outstanding’ by college Henshaw Street, Oldham OL 1 3EN. Andrew Whitehead | [email protected] Paul Webster | [email protected] A YOUNG apprentice at Pearson Solicitors and Levels. However, she saw the apprenticeship role Telephone: 0161 621 6500 Financial Advisers has received a certificate from on a Government website and decided to apply Fax: 0161 621 6521 Contributing editor: Robbie MacDonald. Oldham College for being an outstanding student. for it. She said: “I’ve always wanted to work in law Email: [email protected] Photography: Darren Robinson and was very surprised to be nominated for this Email: [email protected] Emily Gardner, office administration assistant for award. I’m now planning on starting a paralegal Pearson’s Family Team, has just completed a Level course this summer and would like to progress 2 Office Administration programme at Oldham further by studying for law qualifications.” The Business Edge Magazine, Oldham Chronicle Online College, and has been recognised for her hard and Revolution 96.2 Radio are part of Credible Media Ltd. work. Joanne Ormiston, Pearson partner and practice manager. said: “It doesn’t surprise us that Emily Eighteen-year-old Emily, from , achieved so well on her course – she is a friendly, attended Blue Coat Sixth Form prior to joining reliable and committed member of the team who Pearson, where she was studying for four A always goes the extra mile.” Emily Gardner

02 Magazine design by Cornerstone Design & Marketing, 112 High Street, Lees, Oldham OL4 5DJ. www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 03 OLDHAM BUSINESS EDGE NEWS OLDHAM BUSINESS EDGE NEWS - Send your news and photos to [email protected] Employees sought Annual dinner celebrates the to help careers HPP reaches ‘Insider’ manufacturing awards final best of Greater Manchester guidance support FURNITURE industry doors, boards and fittings supplier Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) was among GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was the guest speaker at for youngsters the region’s top manufacturers chosen as Greater Manchester Chamber’s Annual Business Dinner held at Victoria finalists for the Insider Made In The North West Warehouse, Old Trafford. CAREERS and guidance organisation Positive Steps Awards 2018.

is looking to develop its services for youngsters with Mr Burnham looked back on his first year in office and the key issues facing help from employers in Oldham and across Greater The Oldham company was a shortlisted finalist Greater Manchester. Manchester. in the category for Manufacturer of the Year (turnover over £25m) which was ultimately In her speech, Chamber President Jane Boardman focused on the launch of As funding for traditional school-based careers won by Merseyside shipbuilders and repairers her Future of Skills 2028 campaign, which aims to equip young people with guidance is being reduced, Positive Steps, based at Cammell Laird. the right skills for the future workplace. Union Street in Oldham town centre, is looking to

offer more than just a traditional careers service by The annual Made In The North West awards, She said: “Skills, endeavor, the right opportunities and clear guidance need developing visits to workplaces and seeing businesses organised by Insider Media, publisher of Insider to come together to ensure our young people succeed. These will secure the in growing economic sectors. business magazines across the UK, highlight UK’s global success and, in turn, secure the future growth and productivity the pivotal role that manufacturing plays in of our local economy here in Greater Manchester.” Darren Whiston, the organisation’s business the North West economy. HPP has its’ head

development manager, said: “We have developed a office and manufacturing site in Oldham with She said many employers were concerned about how unprepared young Positive Steps Academy of resources and services that a second distribution centre in Sheffield. It has From left, Insider North West editor Simon Keegan with brothers Stephen Hill and Martin Hill, both of HPP. people are when entering the world of work. we can deliver directly to schools and individuals. These over 2,000 UK trade customers and 210 staff.

are based around aspects of post-16 life that schools The company serves the national kitchen and “It was a great achievement There were 11 categories in the Made In The “We see these ‘oven ready’ young people, products of the education system probably won’t cover. bedroom fitting industry, manufacturing its own North West Awards highlighting a range with fantastic grades but who are poorly equipped for the workplace. We for the company to be a products and additionally distributing others of manufacturing specialisms including also see bright young people who have average grades and the aspiration “One of these is arranging aspirational visits to from major brands across the world. finalist. It sent out a positive digital engineering and technology, and motivation to achieve more but no idea where to start. employers in Oldham and Manchester city centre. We message about our contribution automotive industry, supply chains, exports,

take a group of young people out for the day, teach them HPP’s entry submission highlighted various apprenticeships, training, food and drink, and “And then we see those that have no working role models, no grades and, about independent travel and visit employers to help successes in the past 12 months. The family- to manufacturing locally, collaborative work. frankly right now, no hope of changing their situation. We need mechanisms them get more ideas about the world of work. owned company, led by Stephen Hill, Martin regionally and nationally, as to help all these people achieve their potential, whatever their background Hill and managing director Keith Wardrope, The awards ceremony was held at the Lowry and wherever in Greater Manchester they are from.” well as recognition to our staff, “We can make visits to employers based on economic has achieved a significant increase in turnover, Hotel in Manchester. Organisers said entries for

growth sectors and tailor the events to suit the cohort invested over £2million across the business, customers and suppliers. We the awards were up by 50 per cent on last year, The evening also saw Jo Clements announced as the winner of this year’s of young people we are taking. Three-quarters of the created jobs in a range of manufacturing and with North West Business Insider editor Simon Greater Manchester Arts Prize for her video ‘Unit for’. The prize aims to take great pride in our progress advertised job vacancies across Greater Manchester’s support roles including IT, marketing and Keegan saying the prosperity of the region connect contemporary visual artists to the business community, provide ten local authority areas are for locations within logistics; and strengthened its service to trade and business success to date.” depends on manufacturing companies. opportunities for national and international recognition, and to retain artistic customers across the UK. Manchester city centre. This can be intimidating Keith Wardrope, managing director at HPP talent in Greater Manchester. for some young people, especially because some of the youngsters we work with have never been to The winner and runners were presented with their awards and received Manchester city centre. vouchers from Fred Aldous and paper products from GF Smith. Zen to stay strengths, particularly in the small business In the managed print services sector, Zen “We give young people up-to-date knowledge about supplies market, as well as strength and has won the Xerox Gold Concessionaire The dinner was hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan with music from Twisted jobs and careers. This can be a real eye-opener for them infrastructure in the managed print Partner of the Year for the second time. Tubes, Manchester Camerata and DJ Craig Charles. independant says and can help to raise their own aspirations and see what services market. It said it has also seen string growth in it might be like to work in central Manchester or other new owner business supplies solutions, providing its parts of the region. Les Kerr, Zen’s chief executive, said: “We wide-ranging customer base a one-stop BUSINESS furniture, print and business are delighted to have completed on the shop for all consumable, capital and We are planning six aspirational visits over the summer services firm Zen Office has been acquired transaction with Office Team. Zen has seen infrastructure requirements. holidays, allowing parents to book places for their by Office Team, which has offices across tremendous growth in recent years and children. We also include visits to cultural sites too, the UK. the coming together of these two great Commenting on completing the where some of the youngsters will have never visited. businesses under the same group can only acquisition of Zen, Jeff Whiteway, Group The £15 million company, based in Gateway help further develop the business. chief executive of Office Team, added: “I “Overall these are great activities that widen youngsters’ Crescent, Chadderton, and with a second have known the Zen business and the horizons as well as being incredibly impactful about the office in Leeds, will be run independently “OfficeTeam, with its proven track record senior directors for many years, highly world of work, and their own hopes and dreams. under its existing management, according and highly-experienced management respect them and take this opportunity to a recent announcement. team, was the clear choice for Zen.” of welcoming them and their employees Darren Whiston can be contacted at Positive into the group.” Steps on 0161 621 9322 or 0161 621 9500. Email: Zen and Office Team said the new The acquisition comes after eight [email protected]. ownership would bring complementary consecutive years of growth for Zen Office.

Andy Burnham

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Fit-out firm sees record year of growth

CONSTRUCTION and fit-out contractor Medlock FRB is celebrating a record year which Colin Drury Medlock leisure and hospitality work saw revenues soar 47 per cent. Medlock, which has its “We have made a significant investment in key staff engaged in the project delivery process and Medlock’s turnover in the year to December headquarters in Oldham and 2017 was £39.35m, up from £26.83m in the will continue to invest in our people in 2018. previous 12 months. operates nationwide, said it is on “Retaining the best people and developing track for another successful year. and investing in them is key to our continued The firm strengthened its customer base with success and we sincerely thank them for their commitment and passion. new clients including Reel Cinemas, Hickory’s Major contracts completed in the first four Smokehouse, indoor golf operator Adventure months of 2018 include refurbishment projects “Although we have had an excellent year we Leisure and Mosaic Spa & Health Clubs. at Butlins Skegness, a new-build Farmhouse will continue to work hard to drive value whilst Inn in Ellesmere Port and a new Miller & Carter trying to consistently exceed our customer Medlock also enjoyed strong repeat business restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne. BORN, RAISED & PROUD OF with major customers such as Premier Inn, expectations in terms of service and quality.” Greene King, Mitchells & Butlers and JD Finance director Colin Drury said: “We are Medlock FRB is a fit-out, refurbishment and Wetherspoon, as well as regional brewers and extremely pleased to report that the company build contractor which specialises in the leisure pub operators Joseph Holt, JW Lees and Hydes has, for the sixth year in a row, achieved an and hospitality sectors throughout the UK. Brewery. increase in sales. Alongside its purpose-built headquarters in OLDHAM Greengate Street, the company has a 20,000 sq It also benefited from winning projects in “Repeat business with our major customers has ft bespoke facility where it manufactures joinery, the year for Manchester Dogs’ Home, MAD been a tremendous success, accounting for 74 metalwork and glass products. Medlock FRB is Developments and Formby Hall golf resort per cent of the sales total, while our customer owned by its management team and employs and spa. base has been strengthened with the addition of more than 60 staff further premium brands.

we continuously strive to offer. We have non-payment of rent, tenant repairs and New home seen a significant growth in the business maintenance and ensures property owners over the past few years due to our clients, and their tenants comply with the law. for Breakey who return to us repeatedly, for best advice and to maximise their investments. In addition, they now offer a rating service, & Nuttall as business rates are the second highest “When the opportunity arose to secure larger cost to most businesses, enabling clients Breakey & Nuttall moved onto Salmon Fields premises in a prominent position at No 7 to understand their rates bill and assisting Business Park a number of years ago, taking Salmon Fields Business Village, the decision with them with the new “Check, Challenge occupation of ground floor premises which was an easy one. & Appeal” process. Some clients pay less or seemed more than adequate at that time, no longer pay any business rates due to our WE ARE PROUD TO BE HEADLINE SPONSORS however, they diversified into commercial The move has enabled us to provide an involvement. property management and following an executive boardroom, better parking facilities investment into technology and two new for our visitors and my partners; Chris Chris Breakey said that rating is a key service OF THE OLDHAM BUSINESS AWARDS key members of staff, a relocation to larger Breakey, Glenn and I to each enjoy our own which was previously outsourced: “It is premises was needed. offices as well as providing scope for further extremely important to take professional expansion for each of our departments to advice from a trusted source for any business Contact us today for a FREE market appraisal Managing partner Joanne Nuttall said: “As a operate even more efficiently.” rates issues and we strongly advise against business we will never stand still, our team engaging with anyone that has cold called of hard working individuals are the biggest The team offers a comprehensive or emailed. We felt it was key to offer this 0161 925 3255 asset to Breakey & Nuttall and without them Commercial Property Management service directly to our clients.” [email protected] we could not deliver the professional service service that resolves issues such as late or www.ryder-dutton.co.uk

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Housing developer launches family site at Foxdenton Structural design specialist provides engineering

HOUSE builder Redrow is unveiling its latest Homes will initially be sold from a sales office services for new swimming pool and leisure centre development which is part of a larger scheme situated off Foxdenton Lane with a launch of up to 500 new homes being built in the event due in June. Fully-furnished show Adam added: “Getting the new pool open on- Foxdenton area of Chadderton. homes are set to open in September. All time and to budget is a real boon for the local homes will have traditionally crafted exteriors community. It’s great to see this new amenity Called Fox Meadows, the new housing complemented by bright and modern, spacious open.” development opens this summer with 97 three interiors, the developer said. Four-bedroom and four-bedroom homes designed from detached home styles will be the first to be Kov Bahadori, Leisure Facilities Operations Redrow’s Heritage Collection. released, with prices expected to be from Manager for Wakefield Council, said: “Adam £268,995. Sedgwick and staff at Edge Structural Design Claire Jarvis, Redrow area sales director, said: were very helpful in liaising with our planning “Fox Meadows is in a perfect location, not least Redrow said the new development has department and their expertise helped move for families. It is close to outstanding schools excellent transport links, as did previous this project forward. To overcome the site’s and within easy reach of all the shopping and local projects at Meadow View in Oldham challenges and complete the work on-time and leisure amenities of Oldham, as well as being and Spinners Mews in Chadderton. Junction to budget is a great achievement for everyone just seven miles from Manchester and all that a 21 of the M60 is nearby, while trains from involved.” big city has to offer. Moston and Mills Hill rail stations connect say it will create 2,000 jobs plus much-needed to Manchester Victoria in nine minutes, and family housing and a £5million boost the local Edge staff involved included BIM/CAD “Add to that the stunning scenery of the Rochdale in the other direction in under retail economy. technician Pam Tippett, who worked on Pennines and the Peak District National 15 minutes. drawings and 3-D modelling; and project Park just a few miles away, and this is an Plans have indicated 700,000 sq ft of engineers Ben Marsden, who worked on ideal place to live and enjoy family life. So The wider Foxdenton regeneration project is a employment space within a premier business structural elements; and Penny Clark, who we’re anticipating a lot of interest when Fox £100 million joint venture scheme between park alongside up to 500 new homes, which is focused on civil engineering elements. Meadows is launched.” Oldham Council and Foxdenton LLP. Backers strategically placed between the M60 and M62. Edge Structural Design provides services to Minsthorpe Leisure centre, Wakefield commercial and domestic clients including Edge founder and director Adam Sedgwick, civil and structural services, temporary works a chartered structural engineer, said: design, structural inspections and reports. It “Swimming pools are unusual buildings and works with contractors of all sizes on bidding The Oldham Enterprise Trust helps very demanding from multiple engineering and tendering, technical expertise on ground perspectives because of the heavy loads, conditions, foundations, cut-and-fill analysis Oldham residents into enterprise and and the significant operating and heating using sophisticated 3D ground-modeling equipment used for the general environment software and drainage design. employability and contributes to and the pool itself. It has previously worked for Willmott Dixon on long-term economic growth. “We started our work in late 2016. We began the £15 million Oldham Leisure Centre and £8 million Leisure Centre. Adam Sedgwick of Edge Structural Design looking into possible foundation solutions, the steel frame layout and then the pool A STRUCTURAL and civil engineering structure. All work was carried out using the Elsewhere, Edge is currently working on a six- company has provided specialist services for BIM (Building Information Modelling) Level 2 storey apartment in central Manchester with Apply For Funding Today! the construction of a £5 million swimming pool system, sharing information with the architects a two-storey reinforced concrete basement, refurbishment of a 500,000 sq ft industrial The Oldham Enterprise Trust can assist you with securing funding including: and leisure centre in West . and mechanical-and-electrical engineers, who were GT3 Architects from Nottingham and building on Merseyside and the conversion of a Edge Structural Design, based in Oldham, Silcock Leedham from Leeds. historic chapel site into apartments and houses · Grants for those under 25 and low cost loans to those aged 25-30 funded by the Stoller fund in the village of Delph, near Oldham. · Access to the government’s Start Up Loan Scheme for those over 30 years of age starting up a new business worked on the project at Minsthorpe Leisure Centre, which included overcoming challenging “The Minsthorpe site does not have a long · Access to a range of other funding facilitated by Business Finance Solutions (part of the Manchester Growth Company). ground and drainage conditions. history of use, other than the previous pool, so Other current work includes a new office in the ground conditions were quite challenging Bury, a three-storey retail and office building in Work began on-site in late 2016 and the new with low bearing characteristics. So we used a south Manchester and conversion of a London centre has just been officially opened in March specialist technique called vibro-compaction to office into apartments. 2018, on time and within budget. The new improve the ground’s weight-bearing capacity leisure amenity boasts a six-lane swimming required for the proposed heavy building. Edge’s other projects have included assisting pool, a gym and fitness suite and replaces an Furthermore, as part of the planning conditions, with temporary platforms for pilings rigs, site older swimming pool demolished in 2013. we were asked to improve the site’s drainage hoarding designs and temporary propping, and Edge Structural Design was a consultant for to address the national planning policies to inspections and reports about urgent cases such as fire-damaged buildings. For further details contact; Graham McKendrick, Enterprise Trust Manager 0161 770 3356 or 07515 188 974 Willmott Dixon and the client was Wakefield reduce flooding. So, we successfully overcame Council. a number of challenges.”

08 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 09 Get up to OLDHAM BUSINESS EDGE NEWS 30% off Active Gym Swimstandard prices* Ineos head in latest lived in Failsworth as a boy before moving with his family to East Yorkshire. He later ‘Rich List’ studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University, and gained an MBA from London Business School, according to the media. Exercise Class Spin His father, who was a joiner, went on to run a factory that made laboratory furniture while Football Netball Members Only his mother worked in an accounts office.

Previously described as publicity-shy by the Sunday Times, Mr Ratcliffe’s wealth leapt by Bespoke Offers Team Building £15bn in the past year, making him the first UK-born person to top the rich list since the Jim Ratcliffe Duke of Westminster in 2003. Bridget Batty A CHEMICAL company chief executive with He founded the Ineos chemicals group Health Fitness Value roots in Failsworth is now, according to the in 1998. He still owns 60-per-cent of the Law firm makes new Sunday Times Rich List, the richest man in chemical giant, which made £2.2bn profit last Britain. year, and had an annual turnover of £45bn. marketing appointment Running Club Discounts Ineos employs more than 18,500 people at 181 Jim Ratcliffe is the chief executive of Ineos sites across 22 countries. BRIDGET Batty has joined the marketing WORK and has topped the latest Sunday Times Rich Its products are used to clean water, team at Pearson Solicitors and Financial List, with reported wealth of £21 billion. Mr manufacture toothpaste and antibiotics, Advisers as communications and marketing Ratcliffe leapfrogged his way to the summit insulate homes and package food, among manager. She will work closely with all areas from 18th place last year. The 65-year-old YOUR WAY FIT many other things. Activities Leagues of the business to develop communications initiatives in line with the firm’s business With our NEW corporate membership plans, plans. made to fit your organisation’s needs! Haulier expands with HTF Transport’s Lance Bromley said: “Our Bridget is no stranger to the Oldham Outdoor Sports Bowls business has gone from strength-to-strength business scene and will be recognised for Santander help and this new asset finance deal and the her business, Limetree Public Relations. She additional vehicle for our fleet reflects our Unlimited Gym at Unlimited 8 day Priority has operated as a freelance communications ALL 5 Active Centre Sauna & Steam online booking HAULIER and logistics firm HTF Transport optimism and aspirations to grow further. specialist for the past 12 years after leaving has expanded its fleet with the purchase of her role at Manchester Airport and Centrica Sauna Steam Room a truck-mounted Palfinger Crane following “The support from Santander has been prior to that. Unlimited Swim at 10% discount on Strengthen Your a significant asset finance facility with significant and we’re excited about the new ALL 5 Active Centres all resale items Bones & Muscles Santander Business Banking. opportunities for us and our customers in Pearson said she is well-equipped to deal 2018 and beyond.” with all aspects of PR and communications ExclusiveUnlimited Exercise ComplimentaryUnlimited Full or Partial Employer The vehicle will allow HTF to support an having worked with the NHS, Manchester increased number of clients with a broader Santander Asset Finance said it offers Metropolitan University, NWAS, international Classes at ALL 5 Welcome Pack & £ Funding & Discounted range of transport solutions, in line with the competitive funding options for SMEs charities, social housing companies, business Active Centres FREE Induction Staff Memberships Available company’s UK growth strategy. looking at alternative ways to invest for support agencies, many SMEs and local growth. 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Over the past 30 years, the firm has the Chartered Institute of Public Relations FastMonthly pricesTrack starting from Annual pricesGym starting from worked on projects such as The Open Golf (CIPR), sits on the North West Committee Championship and the emergency response and has CIPR-accredited practitioner status. ^ ^ required after Storm Desmond. Its clients include Generator Power and Watkins Hire. She said she is keen to learn and update her Sports£26.99 Hall Badminton£296.89 PR skills through continuous professional Per month (3 direct debit minimum term) Payment in full for the year To fulfil strong client demand and seize development and recently won CIPR North- further strategic growth opportunities West Outstanding Independent Practitioner across the UK, Santander has supported silver award. Email [email protected] or call us on 0161 207 7000 for more information the company with the purchase of a Scania Partially Funded G490 vehicle with a Palfinger Crane. The Working part time for Pearson Solicitors and powerful lifting capacity of the new vehicle Financial Advisors, she will spend the rest of will result in further business and additional HTF Transport with Santander her time servicing her freelance clients on revenues in 2018. their projects. oclactive.co.uk/corporate * Saving is based on standard £38.99 a month fee compared with corporate rate of £26.99 a month 10 ^Minimum numbers required, please enquire for more info www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 11 FEATURE - SEAN FIELDING FEATURE - SEAN FIELDING

From engineer to politician - council leader’s Oldham vision Oldham’s changing town centre

“I never set out for SEAN Fielding recently became Leader of of northern political power to intervene in the Oldham Metropolitan Council, promising to Northern Rail train cancellations controversy, a career in politics. inject ‘energy and real ambition’ into the local despite public calls for action. authority. People wrongly assume BACKGROUND I did because of my He immediately made headlines after ordering Sean Fielding, aged 28, is the youngest-ever a review of the £350 million town centre leader of Oldham Council. He studied civil age. However, six years Masterplan. The plan’s proposals had included engineering at Manchester University and demolition of both Queen Elizabeth Hall and never expected to become a council leader a after becoming a local the Tommyfield indoor market hall, relocating few years later. councillor I’ve become council staff to a new HQ, and freeing-up old sites for redevelopment. He was sponsored on his engineering course the Leader of Oldham and spent a year’s placement at Sellafield However, after becoming the council’s political in Cumbria. After his university course, he Council.” leader, Sean Fielding declared the Masterplan hoped to find a civil engineering job but could fell ‘far short’ of what was needed to give a not because many employers said work was compelling vision for Oldham. Now he has drying-up due to large infrastructure cut-backs. asked planning and regeneration officers to review the plan’s viability with new focus. “I had engineering skills that were supposedly “Unlike some politicians In his first in-depth interview, he told Oldham in short supply but couldn’t find a job. So, I who talk of growing-up Business Edge about alternative options for key went back to working in Tesco in Failsworth, locations, including an increased emphasis on where I’d previously worked while a student. in poverty, I did not. new town centre housing. “I’d also joined my local Labour Party branch in However, my motivation Failsworth and was invited to be considered as for getting into Labour He also discussed Oldham Council’s support a candidate for the council elections. I was later policies was because for businesses and investment, economic elected and things snowballed from there. too many families do opportunities and planning, and the allocation not have those comforts of land for future industrial and commercial use. He recalled: “There was a lot of politics in our Regarding English regional politics, he said family which influenced me. My dad, Stuart, or opportunities. They Oldham’s profile in Greater Manchester needs works in the bus industry in Oldham and is face barriers on wages, to be raised and that Prime Minister Theresa active in the Unite trade union. My mum, Helen, housing or education.” May prefers the Conservative-influenced West worked in finance for Manchester City Council. Midlands regional devolution scene to Greater They didn’t earn massive wages, but they made Manchester’s Labour variety. sure I was comfortable and had opportunities that they did not. He said the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ vision is now a ‘vacuous’ slogan, highlighted by the lack

12 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 13 FEATURE - SEAN FIELDING Transport links are very good with the M62, the A62, SF: “I think we could do a lot more regarding communicating help and advice the M60, the Metrolink trams and connections to for businesses. THE MASTERPLAN – YOUR CONCERNS AND THE Manchester city centre. We’ve started to expand at I’ve spoken to retailers on Yorkshire Street CURRENT REVIEW Broadway Green and Hollinwood Junction, but I recently, who said there was a big blitz “When I stood for the Leader’s role at Oldham of communication and advice when the Council, I expected the council would remain think other sites might need support from Greater Independent Quarter was first promoted. under Labour control after this year’s May But those activities may have ran out of elections, which is what happened. However Manchester, and possibly the Government, to unlock. steam a little. during the election process, a lot of concerns were raised about the Masterplan, the town Recent developments in Derker (new SF: “The Union Street corridor is very A lot of that communication for the centre and the demolition plans. Despite townhouses in the London Road area - important to portray the right image of Independent Quarter was done by third there being no change in political control after which arose from former national Housing Oldham. Trams pass along it in both parties because the council is not always the election, it would be wrong not to act on Market Renewal programmes - prove directions to Manchester and Rochdale, the best organisation to do every task. those concerns. That would be the worst kind there’s a market for people who want to packed with hundreds of passengers. of politics, which is the reason why people live close to the town centre with lots of “A lot of business support and advice is still become disillusioned with politicians. amenities. It’s a shame those renewal We need to use the opportunities there available, including a £4million white label programmes were ended a few years ago and along other important corridors to business finance initiative which is loan “I thought there was a need to pause and and didn’t go further.” showcase the changes in Oldham. I don’t funding specifically available for Oldham to reflect on what people were telling us. The think that’s happening on Union Street at support business growth and development purpose of having elected councillors is to UNION STREET the moment. Work needs to be done. – and to complement the wider business represent the people. Elected councillors are Sean Fielding in the council chamber support already available from Oldham different to council officers. If they don’t do RM: A new Coliseum Theatre and I asked the council to replace old billboards Council, the Growth Company Business represent the public effectively then, frankly, heritage centre is being developed on I was in Rochdale recently, where the agencies there at Mumps and we need to look at all Growth Hub and Oldham Enterprise Trust. there’s no point in coming here. Union Street. However, some landmark are starting to look at more housing. There are similar historic buildings are empty, such as important corridors. However, we have not picked-up the pace the former Prudential building. Aren’t “New work is being done internally by council opportunities for Oldham in offering city centre-type living with promoting that to attract the kind of there opportunities to use posters, flags COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS officers on the Masterplan. They are looking businesses we want. However, we will be at more affordable prices. Here the rents are lower, the tram or billboard campaigns to promote the WITH BUSINESS again at certain aspects of the proposals – looking at bringing that forward very soon. such as the not demolishing Queen Elizabeth links are excellent and there are benefits in getting out of changing town centre and development RM: Is the council communicating opportunities? enough with businesses? Hall and the indoor market - and focusing Manchester city centre. more on town centre housing.

“Council officers expect a change of focus with a change of political leadership. They are Manchester is threatened by changing retail it has thousands of residents and the electoral very professional and will be asked to do work market conditions, such as the future of House boundaries are being changed because of the reflecting the political priorities of the new of Fraser. Oldham is arguably more vulnerable massive population growth. administration. to retail changes, so we need schemes that are sustainable for the future. “But we must ensure people have the right KEY TOWN CENTRE LOCATIONS offer of things here. That’s why the new Previous mixed retail and residential “It’s a shame that the old bank building restaurants, bars and cinema are important. regeneration plans for Prince’s Gate and at Mumps is still empty but it cannot be Oldham town centre is very different now to Mumps were dealt a blow after M&S pulled redeveloped in isolation. Planning permission when I was at Oldham Sixth Form College its plan for a store there. Nearby land along has been granted but developers want ten years ago, so it’s important we recognise the former railway line was earmarked confidence in Mumps as a whole. So, it’s up changes for the better. for housing but no developments have to Oldham Council to come up with details for started. the whole area, including Rhodes Bank. “However, there are challenges too. For example, we are keen to bring the land near Sean said: “Prince’s Gate has the potential “The housing market typically values the old railway line in Mumps to the market to be a prestigious eastern gateway into the properties by what exists next door and for housing. There are barriers to this, such town centre from some affluent areas of the nearby. However there’s currently nothing ‘next as land ownership issues, which we want to borough. It must do the town justice and sell door’ to the old bank or to other sites in the address with the help of Greater Manchester Oldham. It must be more than just a location Mumps area. I think there are opportunities for Combined Authority and the Greater for the bypass going past the town. the old bank for residential and other uses, but Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, who I’ve it needs a comparator. The council has a role raised this with already. We need to do some “We need the right mix of leisure, dining and to provide that – to give it an early kick-start. effective communication and lobbying on retail across the town centre as a whole, and these issues, which may include working with some retail needs to be unique. MORE TOWN CENTRE HOUSING the Government.

“If Oldham’s shops are just the same as “We want to look more at town centre housing. I think the Mumps area lends itself to Bury or Manchester’s then there’s no reason Twenty years ago, Manchester only had a few townhouses. It’s on the fringe of the town for people to visit Oldham. Even central hundred people living in the city centre. Now centre and close to existing residential areas. The Mumps area may see more homes

14 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 15 FEATURE - SEAN FIELDING “As a member of the Labour Party, I don’t leader. They wanted someone who will Northern Powerhouse is. And the politics of believe in trickle-down economics. There be different and listened to. Jean Stretton the West Midlands seems more palatable to are benefits for Oldham in being close provided stability when Jim McMahon left the Government. Oldham? What’s the balance between Sir to Manchester that we can exploit, such sooner than expected. (to become Oldham Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City as housing and city centre-type living at West MP after the death of Michael “The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has Council; Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Oldham prices, and good connections for Meacher). The Labour group is grateful made a point of speaking about the Burnham, Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham businesses to locate here. But I wouldn’t for Jean providing that support, but the ‘Midlands Engine’ a number of times. Council; and MPs in Westminster, such as describe that as trickle-down economics. mood is that we have to pick-up the pace But we cannot let things go. Greater Jim McMahon? and move on. Standing still is equivalent to Manchester still has more devolved powers “I’ve mentioned the north-south divide going backwards. Oldham cannot afford to than any other English region. It’s the job of SF: “The dynamic of Greater Manchester in Greater Manchester being a big issue. ‘tick-over’. the ten local authorities here to make sure politics has shifted very quickly. Sir Richard The Manchester border is just 30 seconds that we are heard and get a fair deal. Leese is the only person around who took from Failsworth and Oldham has a lot in “People are sick of negative headlines part in signing the original devolution deal. common with north Manchester, which is a about Oldham and seeing it at the wrong “So, I’m keen to develop relationships with That experience has brought its own benefits world-away from south Manchester. Local end of league tables. They want to know other Greater Manchester leaders and for him. However, the combined authority authority boundaries may change in future what we’re doing to get out of it and set the also visit other places. I’ve been looking at should be all about local authorities working but I have to work with what we have, here pace. successes in Preston and Wigan, which collectively in the interests of Greater and now. operate some programmes similar to our Manchester. It’s not about one individual. By We also need to look beyond Oldham and co-operative borough work in Oldham. working collectively, we sometimes do things RM: Why did the Labour Party select Greater Manchester for examples of best for the benefit of other boroughs rather than you to replace Jean Stretton as Leader? practise. When Jim McMahon was council “Finally, and locally, it’s important to our own. Was there a period of drift, stagnation or leader, he spoke about ‘batting at a higher recognise good changes in Oldham over division in the Labour Group over level’. He’s now in opposition at Westminster recent years. I have a friend from Oldham “However Oldham has not benefited for a long two years? while I’ve got the resources of a borough who now lives in Bristol. He said recent time, if ever, from the collective benefits of the council to demonstrate what the Labour developments such as the Odeon cinema, Tommyfield indoor market is a key part of the town centre combined authority. We must not be afraid SF: “For a few years we became used to Party can do for people.” the Old Town Hall, Parliament Square, of opening our mouths. There are also other Oldham and Rochdale. Ideas include the Oldham being talked about more positively and various new cafes and restaurants in LAND FOR INDUSTRY & leaders in Greater Manchester who can come extension of the Kingsway Business Park and for the council being outgoing. I think ENGLISH REGIONAL the town centre are all positive changes, COMMERCE along and make the case for change. to the southern, Oldham, side of the M62. there’s a perception that the Labour Party POLITICS & IDEAS and better than many other Greater RM: Does the borough have enough land “The housing investment fund in Greater Following the May local elections, which at Oldham Council became bogged-down Manchester towns. We need to build on and infrastructure for industrial estates, Manchester does not work because it’s a RM: What are your feelings about included changes in political control at in internal, operational things – in managing that momentum.” business and logistics parks? Shop Direct loan structure. We need a grants structure in regional politics currently and ideas Trafford Council, negotiations are again things that officers and managers should is relocating work done at two Greater Oldham because of the property market. We such as the Northern Powerhouse? ongoing about the Spatial Framework’s do. Manchester sites including one in Oldham need change there, for example. details. to the Midlands. SF “The Northern Powerhouse is just a “In me, the Labour Party saw someone “We also need to be clear about our identity. slogan now. The recent chaos of Northern SF: “There is a very clear north-south divide who was not a typical local government “But we also need to consider what other Some Greater Manchester boroughs are Rail demonstrates how vacuous the in Greater Manchester. The Spatial Framework types of employment we want? There’s a happy to be dormitory towns for Manchester. is a golden opportunity to put some of that place for logistics but I also want well-paid We have a bit of that, with our aspirational right – to rebalance development and ensure jobs for local people. We cannot exclusively homes programme for people who want to Oldham and Rochdale get their fair share become the logistics capital of Greater live here and work in central Manchester. of the pie. Manchester simply because we have the However, we also need to create space. employment here. “My view is that the Spatial Framework is about controlling development across Greater “Shop Direct said infrastructure was not the ”We have a large workforce in Oldham. But Manchester rather than it being purely issue that prevented them from staying here the evidence is that it’s not worthwhile for market-led. The consequences of market-led (in Shaw and in Bolton). They said quicker some people to travel for work at Manchester development have been that boroughs like home delivery from the East Midlands was the Airport or Trafford Park because of the wages Oldham and Rochdale have been left out. We factor although it’s not an argument I agree and the travel involved. want development and employment - but we with. Oldham Council offered Shop Direct a need it on our terms. site at Broadway Green but they chose not “Health and care is a massive sector which to take it.” can provide skilled technician and lab roles in “This is an issue I’ll be pushing at Greater Oldham. These can be well-paid jobs grown Manchester Combined Authority, particularly FUTURE PLANNING - GREATER on our doorstep. This is the similar case for because of ‘inclusive growth’. This phrase may MANCHESTER SPATIAL other boroughs. I think we could make a better seem like jargon but it’s about rebalancing the FRAMEWORK case about these types of issues and argue economy and making sure nowhere is left out.” The Greater Manchester Combined more strongly at Greater Manchester-level.” Authority’s Spatial Framework’s is a GREATER MANCHESTER RM: Does wealth trickle-down to Oldham detailed, draft planning proposal for the POLITICAL LEADERSHIP whole region. Its ‘Northern Gateway’ from Manchester city centre? And is there RM: Where does political influence policy looks at potential industrial and a case to redraw council boundaries and power lie in Greater Manchester, commercial development sites along the to reflect the modern, fluid Greater and who’s best-placed to advocate for Union Street could be used to promote regeneration opportunities New housing in Derker with Michael Hodson of Ryder & Dutton M62, between the M66 to the A627(M) for Manchester?

16 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 17 FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

We provide a wide range of apprenticeships, Our apprentices bring traineeships and work fresh perspective and experience in over 40 enthusiasm to make your industry sectors business more productive Mass audience or niche targets? We specialise in developing knowledge Industry standard facilities that prepare Experts explore and skills that can be applied in real world learners for the real situations in your business world of work social media Round table discussion at Ryder and Dutton

IN today’s muti-channel Guests from different sectors talked about the Vikki Marshall: Oldham Hour has paid-off. characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of People ask for recommendations about Get the most out world of marketing and different social media. They asked what social conveyancing and I’ve constantly got my communications, how is media channels are best for sales, leads or telephone in my hand, replying. We’ve then of your workforce. recruitment? What content should be posted, had instructions within half an hour of giving social media best-used for how often, and should businesses aim for large a quote. Social media is a really good tool for Employers are vitally important We can assist with providing audiences or smaller, niche audiences? conveyancing. to everything we do here at advice on grants and funding, different business needs? Oldham College. and cut through levy jargon so that you get the support This was the topic at the Other topics included staff skills and training Louise Howard: Do people come to Ryder As a vocational college you need. for fast-changing social media and marketing & Dutton because of the presence on social we make every effort to latest Oldham Business trends, and dealing with customer feedback, media? There are perhaps five big names for understand the local, regional, Apprenticeships offer you the and national economy to opportunity to strengthen and Edge magazine round- complaints or damaging content on social estate agents on social media. Do people ensure that we are developing diversify your workforce and media. use social media competitively or do they just and educating young people provide a future talent pipeline table discussion hosted know about Ryder & Dutton? tailored to business needs. for the careers of the future by Ryder & Dutton. James Roberts: I’m interested to in the industries that matter By employing apprentices your hear about everyone’s successes James Roberts: There’s a rising number to you. business can extend training We have great partnerships of people who need easy, quick ways of with over 700 of the best through social media. Our team of specialists are budgets by using public connecting because of time constraints. We Ensure our students hit funding for eligible staff, companies in Greater the ground running here to support your business Ryder & Dutton has had some great wins need to give them lots of choices to connect whether you want to recruit reduce recruitment costs and Manchester, providing by offering mentoring with Twitter and direct messages. We’ve had and ease of communication. Our hours of one apprentice/ trainee, or develop existing staff. recruitment support, and work experience training and assessment for interaction from people who are really busy business are increasing because of this trend – placements that suit carry out a full review of your Get in touch to find out how apprentices to businesses but do engage with Twitter. It’s a great way of and it’s only going to increase further. your business needs workforce development plan. we can help you. just like yours making contact within half a minute. We have all sorts of stories about winning instructions Louise Howard: In the winter we had really through Twitter. bad weather. We were struggling to get out for repairs. But using a variety of methods Victoria Hindle, our performance manager, including social media we managed to tell lots has many stories including one of a successful of customers about this. property sale achieved through a Twitter enquiry which resurfaced two years afterwards We also put a video online showing viewers at a social media workshop, where it was used how to fix condenser boilers. The video was by a speaker as an example of good practise. widely shared, with around 6,000 organic shares, meaning people were able to repair By coincidence Vicki was in the audience at their boilers. We also saw a dip in calls to our that workshop. The speaker’s use of Vicki’s customer service centre. Previously we would Twitter conversation was pure coincidence but have seen increased calls to the service centre it highlighted success and good practise. under these conditions. If your interested in working with Oldham College please get in touch: www.oldham.ac.uk [email protected] 0161 785 4000

18 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 19 FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

Bridget Batty: One of my clients is a film Peter Howson: Social media is one of the It’s amazing how social media has changed. I 500 enquiries. That was because of quality Dan Mounsey: Social media is a harder to communicate with someone in Essex is competition for budding film-makers. One of cornerstones to engage with people. Oldham think the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica content and mapping-out of stories. question to answer for HPP. There’s no harder. So we try to use social media to build my objectives is to increase entry numbers Community Leisure has calls-to-action, issue and algorithms will change things evidence of business from social media. relationships over time – it’s a long-term and, as younger people are our target promotions etc. In recent months we’ve again. The ‘free-for-all’ will change. Messages However business-to-business In the past, we felt social media often approach. audiences, social media has been a great tool changed the offers. and themes will be critical. communication is a very different journey. came across as contrived. However we’ve to use. We’ve seen a significant increase. Businesses take much longer to engage. developed our own style. So rather than “We also use social media to recruit. We realise we have a small window to David Wadsworth: We have done some They don’t make quick impulse-purchases. winning business through social media, we People will form opinions about us through Matt Ramsbottom: The Oldham Chronicle engage with people. We are moving away business-to-consumer social media Businesses ask many more questions about use it to put across who we are – to position social media. They get good impressions Online is a model that works. We launched from promoted, sponsored adverts towards campaigns that have gone really well. One people they may do business with. HPP’s brand and values. about HPP through social media which is the Chronicle Online website on February lifestyle stories and issues, such as losing example was for the North West Ambulance Our own social media is used for reassuring for us. 14 and one of the reasons 140,000 people weight and making friends. We’re trying to Service. They had a target of recruiting relationships and recruitment, not business If we someone visits our premises in Oldham, looked at the website was because the story promote things differently by telling stories 50 volunteer community first-responders. or leads. We use Linked-In for social it’s easy to communicate with them. But we Steven Ormrod: We don’t use our social began on social media. with backdrop of OCL. Within a week of the campaign, they had engagement. work across the UK and trying media posts for transactional activity. We

Meet the panel

Louise Howard is marketing and communications manager for First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO). , digital marketing manager at Ryder & Dutton. The multi-award winning property Steve Ormrod The organisation looks after 11,000 homes and has around 400 staff across two sites and also working on a mobile services company has been established for nearly 100 years and now has a 26-branch network across Greater basis. FCHO’s activities include tenancy management, rent collection, property maintenance and repairs, plus Manchester, , West Yorkshire and parts of . Ryder & Dutton’s head office is at Salmon health, housing and employment services. FCHO is currently building over 100 new properties and aims to build Field Business Village in Royton, Oldham, and the company now incorporates Mortimers Estate Agents, based around 800 homes for rent-to-buy and other arrangements in coming years. Louise’s team communicates with in the Ribble Valley and Blackburn area. audiences including tenants, housing professionals and journalists about many different elements of its services.

Matt Ramsbottom is managing director of Revolution 96.2 and Oldham Chronicle Online. The David Wadsworth is managing director of Cornerstone Design & Marketing. A full-service design, media business activities include radio, the Oldham Chronicle news website, Revolution 96.2 and Chronicle advertising and digital agency, Cornerstone services include graphic design, website development, email and social media channels and three quarterly print magazines - Oldham Business Edge, The Knowledge and social media marketing campaigns, print, signage, video, photography, copy-writing and PR. Signature. The overall business, owned by parent company Credible Media, reaches a combined monthly audience of 280,000 to 300,000 listeners, viewers and readers.

Dan Mounsey, marketing manager for furniture components manufacturer and distributor Hill’s Panel Jess Buckley is a digital marketer at Cornerstone Design & Marketing. Her work includes managing Products (HPP). The company’s three main areas of business are manufacturing doors, boards and fittings digital presences for clients across a range of industries, social media campaigns and search engine for kitchens and bedrooms - it makes 40,000 vinyl-wrapped doors per month. HPP has 2,000 regular UK optimisation for website content. customers ranging from one-man businesses to large property developers and social housing customers. It has 210 employees and 24 delivery vehicles. Dan’s role includes managing the marketing team’s production of printed brochures, trade and retail display materials, website content, video, news releases and social media.

Lee Hollinworth is a partner and architectural technologist for Whittaker Design and organiser of Vikki Marshall is a residential conveyancing solicitor at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, Oldham Hour social media networking group. Whittaker Design was founded in 1972. It specialises in the which has three offices in Oldham, Hollinwood and Ashton. The company has three main arms covering conversion of existing and new buildings across the UK and also overseas. The business originally focused personal and family law, commercial and corporate law and financial advice. Pearson recently celebrating its on pubs and hotels but has refocused on residential and commercial property. The business’s other partner best financial year to date. For the fifth successive year, it increased turnover and reached an all-time high of is Alan Doherty. Lee also organises the Oldham Hour online networking group which has conversations on over £4.1million. Victoria is also involved with the Hour social media network. Twitter every Monday at 9pm and also holds face-to-face gatherings.

Peter Howson is head of customer relations for Oldham Community Leisure (OCL). The health and Bridget Batty is communications manager for Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers. She is also a wellbeing organisation has 25,000 members across the borough and operates six leisure and sports centres. freelance communications specialist, is active with Oldham Hour and also a volunteer steering group member of OCL also runs outdoor activities including half-marathons and triathlons, children’s activities and camps, leagues the Professional Oldham networking group. and competitions. For businesses, it has corporate membership packages and workforce health services. Peter is also playing a leading role in a new membership scheme covering 13 leisure organisations and 87 sites across the whole of Greater Manchester.

20 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 21 FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

photos of buildings we were working on. We’d two. For example, for some developers we Trust is very important for our business. We photograph a detail, such as a window or use photographs of their projects on social want to keep clients over time and have acted door, and then ask if people could identify the media to build a blog, which the general public for different generations of families. That type HPP has tried to do quirky things building? These social media posts turned may be most interested in. Twitter is generally of business has grown because of personal in the past but we found it works into a weekly or daily quiz. We’d use little more relevant for commercial and industrial relationships. less for us. So our marketing uses Lego men to represent us and took pictures Steve Ormrod of Ryder and Dutton property clients. However Vicki Hindle from messages that are more in different locations where we were working. Ryder & Dutton is active on Oldham Hour Pearson’s commercial team’s marketing is straight-forward and One of the photos was taken outside the and we get quite a lot of commercial success aimed at a totally different audience. However easier to understand. Houses of Parliament. People interacted with through that too. That’s about opening the the commercial staff still have to be active us. I think businesses are ultimately built on general public’s eyes to all the services we through a social media presence and the people, no matter how much marketing offer. Pearson brand. We’ve got to wear two hats – you do. as an individual and as the Pearson brand. James Roberts: If we have slightly unusual James Roberts: Your Lego men photos or quirky commercial property to sell, such Bridget Batty: Staff are the experts in their humanised the business. You want clients as the convent currently for sale in Oldham, area of work but we’d recommend social who click with you personally? You’re the type we consider putting that on social media. Our media guidelines and training tailored to your of person who likes a pint of real ale. Your message is that we sell commercial property area of work. approach is about connections. I don’t know as well as residential. any other media that can humanise business James Roberts of Ryder and Dutton Louise Howard: People also have to be in the way that social media can. Ryder & Dutton deals mostly with authentic because viewers can spot ‘fake’ or We produce a range of different catalogues consumers but I think the barriers between inconsistent content. You can look back at Dan Mounsey: However if it’s done badly it and brochures for our trade customers and communicating to consumers and business everything; and people take a view on your can have the opposite effect. their end-users (consumers having kitchens audiences are breaking down. Most people level of authenticity – is who you say you are or bedrooms installed). We produce 30,000 who buy or sell a home with us will also be backed by what you’ve posted? James Roberts: Lee has used social media to brochures per year using quality paper and involved somehow with a business or own a cherry-pick clients. print, which has a reassuring quality. Our business. Jess Buckley: Businesses must remember glossy-style brochures are designed for our that social media is social. If you make the Lee Hollinworth. If I meet someone I’ll know trade customers to give to their consumers James Roberts: A different question now. right impressions, people will find your within about 10 minutes if we fit. and only has very low-level HPP branding. The What areas of business social media are business. Social media is part of the building message is about British furniture and family- Dan Mounsey explains HPP’s range of marketing materials underdeveloped or undervalued? blocks of marketing. If you are looking for a Matt Ramsbottom: But branding is still owned business. restaurant, you expect to see social media primarily use it for relationships and trust. to branding to give your target customers vital. You’ve developed branding with your Louise Howard: Getting the key senior and a website. If there’s no website, the overall We ran an Easter egg competition and got confidence in your business. cheeky little Lego men. Creativity works. Websites, digital and social media is modifying people in a business or organisation to marketing is incomplete and unconvincing. hundreds of entries. People just want to For example, who’d have thought a Russian what we do across all our marketing work. build the brand. For example,your executive interact. James Roberts: Would your advice be Meerkat would work as a marketing campaign For example, we have detailed technical team can have nearly as large a following David Wadsworth: People often say they different to a start-up estate agent? forComparethemarket.com? But it did. information on the website which frees-up Some social media is all focused on adverts as your organisation and help you spread want a new brand, meaning a logo. But space on other materials for other content. We key messages. Also from an internal branding is much wider than that and your and selling. Sometimes businesses put out David Wadsworth: Absolutely. We would Louise Howard: First Choice Homes could also have display cases containing samples communications point of view there is real marketing strategy must be wider. content that does not connect with people. advise a more traditional marketing route not be a ‘quirky’ organisation. We deal of products and materials, handle display value for people in their director or chief But we aim to connect with people on a including branding, PR and news, which with some very difficult situations and big boards and other marketing aids that our trade executive responding to a tweet about the human level. would then be enhanced with social and challenges. These aren’t topics that we can VIDEO ON THE UP customers can show to their customers. work they’re doing.. People have good stories Dan Mounsey: Video is exploding. Video digital, but this approach does depend on the joke about. However we can be conversational to tell and generally post about the things is going to get bigger and bigger and is a Matt Ramsbottom: Brand, strategy and industry, target audience and product offering. and more relaxed in our words. Our marketing department has grown too. position are all important. People have heard they care about or are proud of.. First Choice channel that HPP is going to push. We’re When I started at HPP I was the only person in Homes has 400 staff and social media is a building a video studio. of Ryder & Dutton or McDonald’s but that James Roberts: You’re suggesting a blended For bigger issues, we’ve joined-up with other the marketing department. Now we have five great way of gathering some of those for us.. doesn’t mean they stop promoting their brand. bag of goods – a mix of marketing techniques. social housing providers. Housing has become staff with very different disciplines including James Roberts: But some people are You can measure the effect of calls-to-action But our Twitter following has doubled in a year a big political issue recently which has been two website developers. Forty-two per cent I also think people should remember that reluctant to do video. but branding sits in the consumer’s mind. You to 7,500. We are cutting back on sending flyers driven by housing organisations. That has of our business comes through the website. social media accounts are personal but have to quantify it with detailed research or by to people who have no interest in engaging taken a long time to achieve. However we also have trade counters and the cash till ringing. People won’t interact with with us. What are people’s views of other generally not private. You don’t need to share Dan Mounsey: At HPP we want to interview showrooms in Oldham and Sheffield, and a everything. It’s about being relevant and not people from within the kitchen and bedroom social media if they have never heard of you. marketing techniques? First Choice Homes is a regulated organisation telephone sales centre too. posting things constantly like spam. We also furniture industry. It could be unique and So branding is essential. and provide essential services. We can have need to think about good content and images. would resonate with our industry. We think Lee Hollinworth: Whittaker Design was well- conversations in a chatty style and treat social Our marketing department works in graphic customers would be interested to see David Wadsworth: Everybody in Oldham will known in the brewing and leisure industry, and media as a conversation. We also cut our design, photography and video, and we have a Vicki Marshall: I’m a property solicitor not people from other areas of the industry, hear have heard of Ryder & Dutton because of the was racing up and down the country working jargon on social media. For example, ‘hard content administrator who deals with physical a marketer. I’m not there to actively sell the about new trends and developments, and see brand. If you didn’t have the strong brand, you on pubs. However we later changed the standing’ is a driveway to the public. Nobody and digital content. A lot of content is created business but I use social media to build trust in representatives from staff and corporate levels. wouldn’t have got the Easter egg conversion business, slimmed-down our staff numbers calls it ‘hard standing’ outside the industry. globally by the furniture industry which we can our business, to share information and stories rate achieved. Research suggests people and wanted to get more local business. adapt for the UK industry. of special interest, such as property articles on Print media is still important for us. Our need at least four interactions with a brand We then started posting on Facebook and Steven Ormrod: Sometimes we are quite the BBC, and to offer my views. People want to customer demographic is older and male- before they consider buying. Cornerstone Twitter, although I’m not into Facebook rigid in our style of language and branding. Louise Howard: We do a lot of our marketing know what we have to say about things. orientated, and less familiar with social media. would recommend a fully-rounded approach personally, and started taking close-up But we have to get a balance between the work in-house. We tried to outsource

22 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 23 FEATURE - SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

communications for a while in the past but Dan Mounsey: As a business, HPP has been fast-moving nature of the digital sphere so felt it worked better to do it in-house. a little bit ‘under the radar’. Senior managers training is really important. have no social media presence and there was David Wadsworth: Cornerstone works with no culture of social media in the business, It Louise Howard: We had social media training clients to extract their customer profiles. wasn’t natural. with a company and it was a real eye-opener. Without that deep understanding of customers We then knew we had to change what we likes, preferences and buying habits, there’s James Roberts: We have directors at Ryder & do. We now look much more at insights and really no point in doing social media as you Dutton who don’t use it. engagement. For example, we put out content won’t know who to target, and what to target about Universal Credit when it was making them with. This is because the quality of David Wadsworth: Before we start working headlines in the mainstream news, such as on Robbie MacDonald of Oldham Business Edge Louise Howard of First Choice Homes content will drive social media and marketing with a business, we ask what their objectives BBC and Sky TV. engagements rather than quantity. One are? Some don’t have any in writing or some experience placements in our team who we RETURN ON INVESTMENT There is no separate policy just for social organisation had been doing six posts per won’t share them – they’re secretive. It’s only If people are already seeing or hearing about ask for feedback about potential ways for us to David Wadsworth asked if guests knew what media. day. But we emphasised that good PR and been in the last 12 months that we’ve changed that topic on other media, it’s more likely they’ll engage their peers. their social media return-on-investment was social is about creating engaging messages the process. It’s getting harder with changes engage with ours. Different generations also or if they could demonstrate it? Did they use Dan Mounsey: HPP has no specific social for audiences by understanding them in detail. at Facebook and Google (algorithms) and engage differently. David Wadsworth: Younger people are more surveys or retention strategies and look at media policy. But only one member of staff This increases engagement, reduces spend businesses really have to think about their savvy. They can use some of those channels overall customer journeys? manages the account which focuses on and retains followers for the long term. activities. Dan Mounsey: Yes. When HPP started doing but block the statistics. Pinterest may be outbound messages about HPP rather than VM: There’s nothing worse than scheduled social media, some older customers were not of zero interest to some of our business- Louise Howard: “Our return on social media customer feedback. tweets. What does having 3,000 or 10,000 followers very interested in it. However I said a younger to-business clients but for others, such as is about issue resolution and brand sentiment. on social media really mean? Some agencies generation will take over those furniture interior retailers, Instagram and Pinterest are Has an interaction with a customer taken them Vicky Marshall: Facebook asks users to David Wadsworth: Some clients expect to be will purchase 10,000 followers from overseas businesses who will use social media. It’s a important parts of their customer journeys. from negative to less negative or even positive state where they work on their profile, even up-and-running from day-one. But we want to to boost a client’s number of followers. But generational change. However social media view of our organisation? Social media is one though their personal accounts are unrelated immerse ourselves in the company. There is a what’s the value in that? The details really may fade a bit too? Jess Buckley: Pinterest is the number-one of the biggest ‘shop windows’ we have. to employment. But bad social media content risk of diluting content. The number of posts need to be considered. social media channel for one of our clients, “We also have a business intelligence or personal conduct can impact negatively or followers may grow but the content could Steve Ormrod: It’s amazing how attitudes which they were previously not aware of if it team which surveys our work. We look at on their employer because if this public just become noise. It’s vital to not focus just Dan Mounsey. Yes, we sometimes see have changed though. Who’d have been weren’t for cross-channel reporting. complaints and complements, and the work link. Furthermore, many people’s Facebook on numbers, but what those numbers mean spurts of social media activity from some confident about selling their home on we can do to stop formal complaints. Some employment details are often out of date by not only to your marketing objectives but your competitors, done by their agencies, but then Facebook a few years ago? David Wadsworth: Linked-In is key for conversations on social media may begin with displaying their old place of work rather than business objectives too. the activity disappears.” business-to-business work and credibility. a customer at a point of frustration with us but their current employment. NEWER CHANNELS It shows what type of company you are. It’s end with a ‘thank you’ from them for resolving Dan Mounsey: For example Follow Fridays SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING The panel discussed Pinterest, Instagram good for brand presence and is trusted. If their issue. Public complaints can also Employers should have a social media policy. - what’s the point? There’s no value for us Jess Buckley: Social media and digital and Snapchat. people have any doubts, they will go with a become more constructive through private Their staff are on Facebook and Twitter in being followed by a random person in marketing in general is fast-changing, trusted brand. conversations. So we know there’s value in regularly. It’s really critical and they shouldn’t Birmingham. especially when you look at Google algorithm Dan Mounsey: I don’t do Pinterest because what we do. be blasé about it. updates and the recent Facebook changes. of a lack of time. However HPP would use Louise Howard: Linked-In is good for Louise Howard: Paying for boosts is no good. It’s important that businesses understand this Pinterest for the Unique Choice consumer recruitment. But where does recruitment Steven Ormrod: Ryder & Dutton’s social Louise Howard: If we get complaints on For us, for social media to have value it has to but it’s unlikely they can implement change brand if we did it. social media sit within an organisation – with media retention is good. social media we deal with the issues but also be organic. effectively unless they work with social media HR , or the communications team who may be look at how to reply. Could we respond in a daily. Lee Hollinworth: We use Pinterest and share customer-focused? James Roberts: Social media is also useful way that offers a solution to other customers BUSINESS STRATEGIES boards. We can see and hear about people’s for internal communications between staff or which outlines our policy on a particular David Wadsworth: How many people relate Regarding up-to-date training, certain thoughts and tastes. Steve Ormrod: Linked-In is also good for including sharing successes. I’m often out issue? their social media strategies to their business courses such as the Google Squared digital testimonials. Credibility is its biggest draw. I through the day so social media is a really strategy? (Some guests admitted they did not) certification only lasts for one year due to the Louise Howard: First Choice Homes centres found it really useful a few years ago and was helpful in getting staff news and information. For inappropriate or vexatious engagement on Facebook and Twitter. We’re looking at never off it. For example, a member of staff in our Bacup we take a case by case view. We keep our Instagram too now. There are limits to my office had won an award. It’s hard to monetise replies measured. We don’t block people, but awareness of other channels and I recognise Louise Howard: Yes. People can check this activity but it’s important for employers we do seek support from our legal team if an that I need to use them myself to learn their about a business and look for proof. There is and employees. individual member of staff is targeted with value. We need to understand where our authenticity and third-party verification on threats. newer customers want to engage with us and Linked-In about your business. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES & RISK also understand how our older customers use OF BAD CONDUCT “It’s also worth bearing in mind that social media – because they are there. Bridget Batty said she thought Linked-In was The panel discussed whether businesses need sometimes the best engagements come from good for chats with other business people and social media policies, and if reputation and complaints. For example, we had customer Facebook is used by 35 to 65 year-olds to gain expert opinion. branding can be undone by bad social media complaints about problems with a new online and our biggest audience share on there is conduct. portal. It was an issue we weren’t aware of 35-45 year olds. A lot of younger people use Some on the panel felt Linked-In now had and wouldn’t have been if it wasn’t for the Snapchat but see it as their very personal too many connection requests from unknown Louise Howard: FCHO had a code of conduct customer. We’re upgrading the system and space and don’t want organisations like people or too many business ‘gurus’ and for all staff covering everything including have been able to check that thise will resolve their landlordnear it! We regularly have work leadership opinion rather than factual business telephone, personal and social media conduct. the bug. So it had a constructive outcome.” news. Image left: Coffee and pastries at Ryder and Dutton HQ 24 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 25 Rory Bremner hosting the Oldham Comedy ‘Trump’ Business Awards hosts 10th business awards

Business of the Year [turnover over £10m] WINNER: Diodes

CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS & FINALISTS Oldham College table including Debra Woodruff

Supporting Young People - sponsor Oldham College The biggest win for us has been internally because staff want WINNER: Channings Childcare to work in an award-winning business. It’s resulted in a positive Finalists: Capita Translation and Interpreting and DSGN UK business mind-set and built a winning culture. So, if you’re thinking about entering next year, our advice would be ‘do it’. Business of the Year [turnover over £10m] - sponsor KPMG WINNER: Diodes This night is the envy of neighbouring towns. It’s because of Finalists: Oldham Motor Company and Widdop and Co our togetherness. Anyone interested in business is welcome. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been trading for six months or Business of the Year [£5-10m] - sponsor Pearsons 100 years, or if you do business regionally, nationally or WINNER: J A Harrison & Co internationally. Finalists: Gemini UPVC and Portculis Oldham “I’m confident that our togetherness and spirit will give us THE tenth anniversary Oldham another ten years or more of these awards.” Business of the Year [£5-10m] WINNER: J A Harrison & Co Business of the Year [£1m-£5m] - sponsor Asian Business Leaders WINNER: Linda Lewis Kitchens Business Awards was celebrated The Business of the Year (turnover over £10 million) Award Finalists: Catalyst Claims and Seftons Accountants in style at Queen Elizabeth Hall went to Chadderton-based semiconductors business Diodes. with a bumper audience of almost Business of the Year [£5-10m] was won by J A Harrison & Co; Business of the Year [<£1m] - sponsor Sefton Accountants 600 guests. Business of the Year [£1m-£5m] category went to Linda Lewis WINNER: Remedian IT Solutions Kitchens and the Business of the Year (under £1m) award was Finalists: Cornerstone Design & Marketing and Future Safety Businesses from across the borough supported given to Seftons Accountants. the event, which included an after-party hosted Business Person of the Year - sponsor Oldham Athletic FC by radio station Revolution 96.2, which now Steve Kilroy, chairman of the Oldham Business Awards WINNER: Ansar Ali – DSGN owns the Oldham Chronicle Online. steering committee, said: “You don’t realise just how diverse Finalists: Frank Rothwell/Manchester Cabins and Maria Williams of Upturn the Oldham business community is until nights like this. It’s This year’s celebrity host was TV impressionist fantastic. Employer of the Year - sponsor Ultimate Products Rory Bremner with other speakers including WINNER: Oldham Chiropractic Clinic Martyn Torr of New Image and formerly with “Businesses here continue to go from strength to strength Finalists: Cornerstone Design & Marketing and Diodes the Oldham Evening Chronicle, who founded throughout the UK and worldwide too. This tenth anniversary the awards, and James Roberts, commercial night has been brilliant – and 2019 will be even better.” Business of the Year [£1m-£5m] WINNER: Linda Lewis Kitchens Start-Up of the Year - sponsor Business Growth Hub director for awards sponsor Ryder & Dutton. Judging panels, which include sponsor representatives, WINNER: Assure Certification reviewed all this year’s entries at the start of the year before Finalist: The Secret Sip Addressing the audience Mr Roberts said: “I’m reliably informed there are 600 people here shortlisting three finalists for each of the 11 categories. tonight and the event was sold-out six weeks Other winners included Channings Childcare, which triumphed Young Entrepreneur of the Year - sponsor Oldham Enterprise Trust ago. I think that’s an amazing achievement. in the ‘Supporting Young People’ category. WINNER: Eric Bashyika - SW Clothing Co Finalists: Hayley Smith of Simply Skin, and Jannatul Choudhury of Muzzini I hope there will be someone here tonight, who Owner Kathryn Hoggard-Channings, who runs six nurseries, perhaps has been invited as a guest by a friend said: “It’s the first time that we’ve been nominated for an award Young Business - sponsor Reward Finance or business contact, who will be inspired to so we’re all delighted. We deliberately entered this category WINNER: Dream Big Sports enter the awards next year, 2019. because my managers do so much with the younger members Finalists: Corner House Cakes and Old School Barbecue of staff. “From Ryder & Dutton’s experience, winning a Community Engagement - sponsor Unity Partnership number of awards over the last few years has “We take on young people, turn them into valued members of WINNER: Safeguard Fusion been fantastic for us. It’s really enhanced our staff and some go on to become future managers. For example Finalists: Blue Tiffin Restaurant and Dale Bathrooms. brand, led to a series of marketing opportunities Janine, who was sitting at our table tonight, was an apprentice Business of the Year [<£1m] WINNER: Remedian IT Solutions and helped us make some quality contacts. and now she’s a manager.”

26 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 27 FEATURE - RIPPLE – TOPPS TILES Ripple supports Topps Tiles’ UK store improvements

A LEADING designer and manufacturer of retail Oldham-based Ripple has created the products to improve communication, display and merchandising at interior and display solutions has created a variety Topps Tiles showrooms. The development includes a new ‘Trade Essentials’ section to convey innovative of new products for a UK-wide improvement features and applications of an extended range of trade programme by Topps Tiles. tools and products.

Over recent years, Ripple said it has significantly feature all the essential products and “The solution can be adapted to display Ripple works across sectors including contributed to the store format development for Topps information needed to complete tasks and communicate a diverse range of fashion, grocery, sport and leisure, Tiles. such as underfloor heating and wet products such as different tile sizes and entertainment, cookware, health and rooms, whilst clarifying in-store product formats, grout and adhesives, screws beauty, DIY and merchants, department Following successful trials of the new wall units last year availability. and washers in packets, backer boards stores, home décor, electricals and at outlets in Rugby, Sevenoaks, Sheldon, Reading, Watford, and rolls of waterproof matting, including technology. It works with brands and Solihull and Enderby in Leicestershire, Topps Tiles saw Ripple’s design offices products such as Durabase protective retailers including Akzo Nobel and Dulux sales improve significantly. So it decided to capitalise on matting for wet rooms and Hardie Backer Decorating Centres, Trespass, Majestic the initiative and roll-out the improvements across its and manufacturing base for the bathroom trade.” Wine, B&Q, Mouldings, Boots, whole retail estate. are at Greenacres Road, Trespass, Marshalls, B&M and Energizer, Ripple created a range of design options, to name a selection. The ‘All-Store Improvement Plan’ (ASIP) will require Oldham. It works across prototypes and 3-D impressions for Topps over a mile of wall unit fixtures across the 380 Topps the UK and Europe and Tiles. All the equipment is manufactured The company’s services include research Tiles showrooms in the UK. These will be installed in by Ripple using a range of materials, and development; creative and technical various configurations to a programme expected to run is part of Ripple Group, but principally from fabricated mild design, manufacturing including joinery, to autumn 2019. run by managing director steel finished with powder coating metalwork, solid surface, plastics, painting and laminated MDF board. Ripple and powder-coating and supported by Ripple creative director Scott Harrop said: “There are David Wolfenden. is manufacturing and supplying the project management, installation, storage many benefits of achieving alignment of stores in addition equipment while installation is by and delivery. to increased sales. These include operational efficiency separate contractors. and consistent product ranging, merchandising and communication at point-of-sale; which is designed to educate customers about new products, techniques and methods.

“The concept fits with Topps Tiles’ ambition to grow its market share pursuing the company’s strategy of ‘out- specialising the specialist’, whilst aligning the ranges, look- and-feel and in-store branding. The result is a fresh look and an environment which is future-proof, functional and flexible.”

He added: “Ripple’s creative and technical team carried out the design and technical development of the concepts, working closely with the Topps Tiles store design team. The solution is focused on clear communication of their extended product offer, providing inspiration, visibility of range and application methods. The equipment displays

Woodwork and joinery area at Ripple Scott Harrop Manufacturing of display products at Ripple

28 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 29 Oldham Business EDGE Serious About Success Viewpoints

to help them achieve their potential is critical. Vital focus Our focus must be on getting the policies right to support this system, not on the politics which surround it. All of this requires your help and on training input. WE are now at a crossroads I am pleased to launch our ‘Future of Skills 2028’ campaign, the focus of which will be to work for skills and employment, both with you to establish the skills that are needed in Greater Manchester and to drive Greater Manchester businesses in the nationally. next decade.

Businesses are used to operating in a landscape Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey will focus that is often confusing. Schools, colleges, on these key questions and help set the starting training providers and universities are constantly point for what we believe is the most ambitious having to adapt and change their strategies attempt yet to finally tackle one of the biggest to deliver the endless changes set out by recurring issues for business. Jane Boardman government President of Greater Manchester Chamber By working collaboratively, we want to create As employers, we need to be involved in a system in Greater Manchester that helps These things are never easy but, as ‘Mr the design and delivery of careers advice, businesses to define and access the skills they Manchester’ Tony Wilson once said, ‘this is employability training, and quality work require in a simple and transparent manner. Manchester. We do things differently’. experience for our young people. Giving a young Attracting young people to good careers, We must deliver the step changes that industry person a clear progression route for their career with pay progression and top-class training is needs to drive productivity and that our young is essential. And providing them with a system absolutely where the future of skills must sit. people need to succeed. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR BUSINESS GOALS.

Let Cornerstone keep you on track with objective-orientated marketing that drives results and tangible return on investment.

Working with over 150 businesses, we help our clients create and deliver successful marketing strategies and consumer led campaigns, targeting both online and offline channels. We focus on the best ways to generate and deliver results, which is why we’re the fastest growing agency in the area.

See how we could help add value to your business today? Call us on 0161 213 9941 or drop us an email at [email protected] View our work at www.cornerstonedm.co.uk

30 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 31 FEATURE - PHOTOGRAPHER DARREN ROBINSON

City and Manchester United. For many years he was a staff photographer at the Oldham Evening Chronicle newspaper.

His work included capturing historic matches including the 1994 FA Cup Final at Wembley between Manchester United and Chelsea, which United eventually won after beating Oldham Athletic in a Grandes semi-final replay at Manchester City’s Maine Road ground. Today Darren is a freelance photographer covering news, business, fotografias! PR, corporate, industrial, events, portraits and news, both regionally and nationally. This variety of work includes local projects for Oldham Business Edge Darren’s Mata portraits magazine, including a number of photographs in this edition; radio station Revolution 96.2, Oldham digital agency Cornerstone Design a hit with Spanish & Marketing and the Professional Oldham networking events. Darren football magazine also works for clients at locations across the UK including London. It was great that Panenka magazine were so happy with my photographs - and that it decided to use 12 on the front cover with more inside.

Darren Robinson

in Spain, where football is like a religion. It Print is very influential among Spanish football supporters and the media. Group “Manchester is home to a number of Spanish football journalists. I was contacted about ZLS the Juan Mata photographs after journalist Pol Gustems, who works for Catalunya Radio and El Periodico newspaper, enquired with Oldham Athletic about Manchester photographers. Darren Robinson photographs in Spanish football magazine Panenka

A MAGAZINE was so impressed with a set also handed Mata an award for his sporting “Luke Ingram, the head of media at Oldham of photographs of Manchester United and achievements and charity work. Athletic, passed my details to Pol. I then Spain football star Juan Mata taken by Oldham contacted the Panenka editor in chief, Carlos photographer Darren Robinson that it used 12 Spanish international Mata is a Real Madrid portraits on its front cover. graduate who played for Real Madrid Martin Rio, in Barcelona for a briefing ahead Castilla, Valencia and Chelsea before joining of the interview. It was an interesting job and I Spanish-based football magazine Panenka Manchester United in 2014. really enjoyed it.” typically features a single image on its front cover. However it did away with convention Darren said: “Juan Mata is renowned for being Previous editions of Panenka have featured when it saw the portraits taken by Darren, a very accommodating and pleasant. This was Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola, now the freelance award-winning photographer who the first time I’d met him and he was very manager of Manchester City; George Best, the covers business, news, sport and events. helpful and professional. I set up my mobile Manchester United and Northern Ireland icon; studio in the hotel’s function area and had 20 and a Manchester special feature with City, Darren photographed Juan Mata for an minutes with him. United and breakaway club FC United. interview with Spanish football journalist Javier Darren Robinson has covered a number of Giraldo in a hotel near Manchester Airport. “Panenka is a very impressive magazine with Greater Manchester football clubs over the During the interview, Panenka magazine quality content and design. It’s highly regarded years including Oldham Athletic, Manchester

32 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 33 MOTORING - BY STEVEN BERRY Ford Mustang GT Convertible A thorough-bred OTR Price: £41,665 Engine: 5.0-litre V8 Power: 410 bhp American rebel Transmission: 6-speed Automatic 0-62mph: 4.9 secs The Ford Mustang is an icon. Even those with little interest in Top Speed: 155mph motoring will be familiar with the name and, perhaps, Combined Economy: 22.1 mpg CO2 emissions: 281g/km that galloping-horse badge.

The Mustang really looks the part with powerful Standard spec is pretty good and includes haunches, a bonnet so long it almost has its 4-piston Brembo brake callipers up-front, fully own postcode and an overall presence. independent suspension front and rear, Limited First off, let’s talk about the two main options - Slip Differential, selectable driving modes: Fastback or Convertible? 2.3-litre 4-cyclinder Snow/Wet, Normal, Sport and Track, SYNC 2 or 5.0-litre V8 (GT)? 8in colour touchscreen with 9-speaker DAB radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, voice- I think the Fastback just about shades it over control and Ford Emergency Assistance. the Convertible – something which is true for There are also automatic headlamps and most every other hard/soft-top choice. It’s only wipers, six-way powered front seats, Key-free with the roof down and the sun shining that the entry system with push-button starter button, convertible comes into its own but for the vast rear view camera and dual-zone auto climate. majority of the time (in the UK, anyway) the The Mustang GT Convertible is strictly a four- Fastback is king. seater with restricted leg and headroom in the rear for adult passengers but up front you’ll find The second choice is easier – you buy the plenty of space for you and your passenger. 5.0-litre V8 GT model. In fact, it shouldn’t The Mustang is quite a wide car with plenty of really be a choice at all as anything below elbow room. 8-cyclinders will feel phoney. Sure, the 2.3 The Mustang GT doesn’t disappoint with a V8 EcoBoost will manage over 35mpg but you just The interior is quite airy – even with the canvas roar that settles down to a soft burble soon after bought a muscle-car so don’t compromise. roof up – and visibility was better than expected pushing the glowing red starter button. The I’ve been lucky enough to be driving a V8- for a convertible. The driving position is spot-on neighbours may not as impressed in the early powered convertible Mustang GT and I was and with a huge amount of adjustment in both hours but you’ll be smiling from ear to ear. even luckier to have some decent, roof-down the seat and steering wheel. A word of warning Out on the road you’ll find yourself listening to weather – and I loved every minute. though; the doors are quite heavy and very the V8 more than the sound system – which Powered by a 410 bhp, 5.0-litre V8, quad-cam, long. isn’t a bad thing as I was underwhelmed by 32-valve engine, the 6-speed manual is capable the Shaker Pro system. It lacked depth, despite of 0-62mph in under 5 seconds and has a top Materials used inside are good but not up to the a huge sub-woofer in the rear and I can’t speed limited to 155mph. standard of the big German manufacturers. recommend it as an upgrade. But, of course, the first thing you want to You can get the 5.0-litre Convertible Mustang do when climbing behind the wheel of an The Mustang, Fastback for Convertible, is huge GT for £41,665 OTR if you choose the six-speed American muscle-car is start the engine and of fun to drive. Rear wheel drive and 410bhp manual, but my car was an auto, which starts listen to the initial bark. are tamed by the electronics to just about at £43,165. the correct level of craziness so that average drivers, like myself, can throw this hefty car around without creating mayhem.

Over seven days of mixed-road driving I managed to average 23mpg which was slightly better than I was anticipating. I also managed to have a lot of fun and many conversations with strangers interested in the car.

It really is an icon-of-the-road and if you’re in the market for a thoroughbred American muscle-car with the steering wheel on the correct side then you really don’t have a choice, do you?

34 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 35 Networking and First Choice Homes INTRODUCING social events Why we’re here Improving lives in Oldham #Celebration time Create for Oldham Hour Excellent Landlord Thriving Communities Build New Homes NETWORKING group Oldham Hour recently How we do it celebrated its fourth anniversary.

Your car. The group includes business owners, charities, event organisers, sport clubs Your choice. and others Tnd meets on Twitter every Monday night at 9pm. leleasease ffromrom only £69 per mmonth Oldham Hour was launched in 2014 by a small group of business owners to talk to each other, ask for help and share news of services and events. Easy access Health & Help people Acquire Build AvailableAvailable on new and useusedd cars! to great services well-being into work Land Founding member and host Lee Hollinworth, of Whittaker Design, pictured far right on the back row earring a black jacket, said: “The hashtag Deal of #OldhamHour can be used anytime. Users can search this hashtag to the week interact with others and check local news without having to trawl the Twitter timeline. The account is now followed by over 6,500 users and has had over £ lease from 130,000 monthly impressions. only £64pm Repairs Working in partnership to Increase funding “Many people interact each week under the ethos of ‘Get Oldham Talking’. improve lives & communities With over There’s quite a lot of banter, but in the main, sharing of information about events and business opportunities. Oldham Hours is a friendly meeting place for businesses, event organisers and local people. Many participants How we know we’ve done it 500 have gained good connections and are now working together or refer work cars in stocksto to each other or have simply gained new clients. Deal of the week ck lease from only He added: “We have also started to meet after work on the second Friday £283pm of each month. Oldham has a huge amount of small business, charities and clubs who do not have a big presence, partly because they do not have the budget to spend on attending networking events. So the chance to meet Healthy customers making has proved a success, with our first couple of events held at Molino Lounge less demands on health in the Old Town Hall cinema and restaurant development. and social care services

“We’ve welcomed solicitors, designers, bar owners, sport clubs, estate agents, IT providers, leisure providers, council representatives, charities, media, school representatives and others at our gatherings Customer Satisfaction Number of new homes built or aquired Commenting on the group, Chris Stansfield from Broken Pencil Number of customers Go to hplleasing.co.uk added: “Oldham Hour is like chatting with friends rather than who get and keep a job stuffy business meetings and, best of all, it works. HPL Motors Oldham 396 Manchester RD, OL9 7PQ Things that make this happen 0161 620 8773 just off the m60 junction 22 3 HPL Motors Atherton Our people make Knowing what is Customers paying 1 Bolton Road, M46 9JQ a difference important to our all their rent 01942 886689 customers Oldham Hour followers at Molino Lounge

36 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 37 Alexandra Park Professional Oldham to Park Bridge circular walk

visits tech workshops Start/Finish: Alexandra Park, Park Road

NETWORKING group Professional Oldham visited Distance: 10km/6 miles

the town’s new Digital Hub for an event with the Time: 3 hours Hack Oldham co-working organisation.

Andy Powell of Hack Oldham

Hack Oldham is one of a Facilities include offices and training space, Professional Oldham is a not-for-profit group number of organisations wi-fi, reprographics, craft and woodworking behind quarterly business networking-social workshops, 3D printing, an electronics events. Its steering group of volunteers are and businesses based at the laboratory, a workshop and a micro-brewery. Suzanne Wright of Pearson Solicitors and Digital Hub, which opened Financial Advisers, Bridget Batty, Stephanie Glorious park leads to historic in 2017 in the former Wahoo During office hours, the ground floor is open Doherty and Helan Graham, both of to residents who pay a fixed monthly fee or Caremark Oldham; Angela Higham of Dr nightclub on Yorkshire Street. visitors who can rent desk or studio space. Kershaw’s Hospice and Robbie MacDonald, sites including Titanic iron works of Oldham Business Edge magazine and The hub’s main purpose is to help Professional Oldham volunteer Bridget Cornerstone Design & Marketing. Leaving the southern end of the park, the This walk summary has been compiled from entrepreneurs launch and expand technology Batty, of Limetree PR, welcomed guests and OLDHAM offers a wealth of route follows a corridor of quiet woodland the original route which features in the local businesses, which will create more jobs introduced Andy Powell, a Hack Oldham The next event is a summer craft gin tasting outdoor activities, from gentle to reach Park Bridge, the site of a former guidebook, Oldham Discovery Walks. The and foster wider economic growth. The founder. evening at Gallery Oldham on Thursday, July park strolls to challenging iron works, where rivets were made for full route description, a map and detailed redevelopment was part of a £1 million 12, from 6pm-8pm. The event is sponsored the construction of the Eiffel Tower and information about points of local interest are investment by Oldham Council to help Andy, who runs his own web business by Handelsbanken and will be hosted by Pennine adventures. the ill-fated ship Titanic. The preserved contained in the book, which is available from smaller businesses develop in the town called Caffeinated Projects, explained the Oldham’s Defiance Gin and owner Paul remains of this once bustling iron foundry www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.co.uk centre’s Independent Quarter. background to the group, which was first Sheerin. While the Saddleworth district is regarded as offer an historical glimpse into the industrial or at local stockists. based in nearby Hardcastle Street. the area’s ‘jewel in the crown’ for countryside, revolution. Hack Oldham operates the ground floor and Admission of £15 includes a welcome glass many people do not realise that throughout basement while the upper floor includes Hack members Tony Goacher, from of sparkling wine, craft gins and food. Oldham’s built-up areas there are swathes Heading north once again, the route now Wayra UK’s Open Future North office. This is Uppermill, and Nathan Hickling, from Bookings through Eventbrite or pay of beautiful open spaces providing great meanders its way along Rocher Vale, the northern branch of Wayra UK’s national Hollinwood, demonstrated equipment on the night. For enquiries, email opportunities for walking, cycling and following the course of the River Medlock support network for technology firms, backed and creations including a full-size remote- [email protected] relaxation. through Lees Brook Nature Reserve, which by the worldwide O2/Telefonica Group controlled Dalek. provides a haven for wildlife. Looking further ahead, the group’s Featuring in the Oldham Discovery Walks Hack Oldham was founded in 2015 and is Catering for the night came from volunteers autumn event will be Thursday, November guidebook, this wonderful route follows a Reaching Lees Brook Mill, the route turns a community-owned co-working space, from Real Junk Food, which uses fresh 8, again from 6pm to 8pm. picturesque corridor of countryside which west along a disused railway line which ran with desks, studio space and workshops. surplus food from supermarkets. gives opportunities to discover some of the area’s historic past. from Oldham to Uppermill, past the site of the former Glenn Mill prisoner of war camp. Passing South Link Business Estate, once Route Summary the site of a busy railway depot, you soon One of the country’s first municipal parks return to Alexandra Park. Once you’re there, and created as a labour project during the welcome refreshments await in the Old Boat Lancashire Famine, Alexandra Park House Cafe. in Oldham was opened on August 28, 1865 and named to commemorate the wedding of Albert Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

From the gate house, upon which is mounted an information plaque, pass between two lakes to reach a wonderfully-restored pagoda. Adjacent to here is one of many statues erected in the park in commemoration of local, influential people from Oldham. It features town crier Joseph Howarth. Information plaque commemorating the Christian Maylor opening of Alexandra Park 38 www.oldhambusinessedge.co.uk 39 Proud to be backing projects in Oldham that bring businesses and the community together

Providing a helping hand since 1990 For further details contact; Graham McKendrick, Enterprise Trust Manager 0161 770 3356 or 07515 188 974