OLDHAM businesses are being put in the national spotlight as people are invited to nominate their favourite local traders in a UK-wide competition.
The UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition is searching for the businesses which mean the most to their communities, with shops, restaurants, cafés, salons, hotels, attractions and service providers all eligible.
People can nominate an Oldham business for free, giving its name and explaining why they believe it deserves the title.
The business receiving the most nominations nationally will win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card, while one person who nominated the eventual winner will also receive a £1,000 gift card.
In Oldham, the prize can be taken as an Oldham Gift Card, which can be spent at more than 70 participating businesses.
They range from national names including Beaverbrooks, Pandora, Primark, Subway and The Perfume Shop to independents such as Rhode Island Coffee, Bitter Sweet, The Fox and Pine and Grandpa Greene’s.
Rhode Island Coffee has already enjoyed success in the initiative after being recognised as one of the UK’s Favourite Local Businesses in the 2024 competition.
The Oldham Gift Card forms part of the Town & City Gift Cards initiative, operated by Miconex. More than 27,000 businesses participate in its local gift card programmes around the world.
James Kington, Director of Growth at Oldham Council, said: “Oldham is home to many beloved local businesses.
“We’re ready to recognise the valuable impact that our local businesses have for Oldham in the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026.
“Whether it’s your local café, your local salon or your local shop, please take a moment to nominate them.”
Research carried out by Miconex in 2026 found 99 per cent of respondents were keen to support local businesses, while 73 per cent said doing so had become more important to them over the previous 12 months.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “Nominating a local business in the UK’s Favourite Local Business is a quick, simple and free way to show your support for local businesses, and you could win an Oldham Gift Card – the ultimate shop local Gift Card.”
Nominations are open until November 30, 2026.
People can nominate their favourite Oldham business for free and give their reason why it deserves to win.
Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition here: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk
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