Starting a business

Support for starting a business

Running a business is tough, but there’s help available across the borough of Rochdale that you can access free of charge.

Working with partners, including Job Centre Plus and the Rochdale Development Agency, we have created a single point of access for business support called the Rochdale Offer.

You can get help, including:

  • Start-up support and advice for new businesses
  • Business advice and guidance for established businesses
  • Workforce training for all staff, including managers
  • Support to help recruit local, skilled residents
  • Advice on recruiting apprentices
  • Health and wellbeing support for you and your staff to support mental health and reduce staff absence
  • Quick access to health and wellbeing support for staff who are on sick leave
  • Helping businesses apply for accreditations and industry awards

For support, contact us using the contact details on this page.

More support for starting a business

  • Ask About Business - support with business ideas, funding, running your business and more.
  • Build a Business workshops - find business events, one-to-one support and more 
  • Co-operatives UK - help if you want to start your own co-operative, including a handy guide to the process.
  • Enterprising You - help if you're self-employed in Greater Manchester
  • FranchisingWorks - free support, advice and funding to those who are interested in supported self-employment but are open-minded to the type of business they would like to operate or manage. Work from home, work from a van or even run your very own management style business.
  • GOV.UK - a range of advice on business and self-employed topics.
  • HM Revenue & Customs tutorial - free online tutorial aimed at anyone starting their own business and covers all the basic tax and National Insurance information.
  • Kings Trust Enterprise - free support to start a business
  • Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) - offers a comprehensive package of support to businesses looking to set up, expand or invest in the borough. Services provided include locating property and land, identifying available business support services and help with recruitment and training needs.