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Startup advice for business

Business Link North West

If you're already running your own business, just starting out, or have a great business idea, Business Link North West can help. Get in touch and you'll have access to all the information, advice and practical assistance you need to give your business the best chance of sustained success.

Business Link North West is the gateway to all publicly funded business support and provides an easy to use business support, advice and information service dedicated to helping your business develop and progress by ensuring that you can quickly and easily access the advice and information you require like:

  • Planning, starting and expanding your business
  • Managing people
  • Training and development for you and your staff
  • Making the most of e-commerce and information technology
  • Managing cash flow and securing extra funding
  • Exporting
  • Business Improvement, benchmarking and networking
  • Tax issues, employment law and business regulations

For more information contact business link North West on Tel: 0845 00 66 888 or visit the website:

Business Link  - free gateway service to all publicly funded business support.

Intensive Start Up Service (ISUS)

This is a free, local service available to anyone considering self-employment / starting a business in the borough. The service provides ongoing support from 6 months before the start of trading, to 36 months post start trading, and includes one-to-one personalised support and access to a range of business training workshops and networking opportunities.

The service is available to any individual living in Rochdale Borough and is delivered by Blue Orchid. Specialist support is also available for young unemployed people aged between 18 - 30 from The Prince's Trust and for black and minority ethnic residents from KYP.  

For more information on Intensive Start Up Support contact Business Link North West or contact the specialist provider direct:

Blue Orchid - provides support to any individual wanting to start up in business.
Tel: 01706 515 710
Email: Blue Orchid

The Prince's Trust - provides specialist support to young, unemployed people (aged 18 - 30) wanting to start up in business:
Tel: 0161 874 7380
Email: The Princes Trust

KYP - provides specialist support to black and minority enthinc clients wanting to start up in business:
Tel: 01706 630 140
Email: KYP

Enterprise Coaching

Rochdale Council have set up a borough-wide Enteprise Coaching service to provide a pre business start-up service to individuals who are thinking of becoming self employed but who don't know where to start to get their idea off the ground and don't feel ready to access the support available from Business Link North West for whatever reason.

The service is free of charge and is delivered by Blue Orchid, who are specialist providers of  business start-up support and are based at the Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale.

For more information on the Enterprise Coaching Service, contact Blue Orchid on tel: 01706 515 710, by email: Blue Orchid.

Social Enterprise Support

If you are considering setting up a social enterprise, download our Handy Guide to Social Enterprise Support  which provides information on the free help and support available. 

Rochdale Borough Women's Enterprise Network

Rochdale Borough Women's Enterprise Network is run by female entrepreneurs from all over the Rochdale borough. Its aim is to promote independence and self-belief amongst women entrepreneurs in Rochdale borough.

Rochdale Women's Network website - owned and run by women entrepreneurs from all over the Rochdale borough.

Rochdale Development Agency

The Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) offer a comprehensive package of support to businesses looking to set up, expand or invest in the Borough of Rochdale. Services provided include locating property and land, identifying available business support services and help with recruitment and training needs.

Rochdale Development Agency - to help deliver of economic and physical regeneration across Rochdale borough.