By Paula Aicken
BUSINESS people from across the borough came together at the Blue Tiffin restaurant for an enjoyable evening of fine Indian dining and networking for the Oldham Hour group.
#OldhamHour, started in April 2014 by a handful of local business owners, is a twitter marketing initiative for local businesses and the community.
Users gather in one electronic meeting place every Monday between 9pm-10pm so they can talk to each other, ask for help and share news of services and events they are involved in.
The hashtag #OldhamHour can be used anytime. Users can search this hashtag to interact with others and check local news without having to trawl the twitter timeline.
The event at the Royton restaurant proved popular as over 40 people came along, with representatives from start-up businesses to long established Oldham companies, as well as charities and sports clubs.
In September, Oldham Hour enjoyed 110,00 tweet impressions as many local business, charities, clubs and events benefit from interacting online.
It has even helped local people find a job, connect businesses who are now working with each other and have helped sport clubs to gain sponsorship deals.
Lee Hollinworth, of Whittaker Design, said “The Oldham Hour group is a very positive thing as we strive to work together for the benefit of each other in the local business community, as well as help charities, events and therefore the town itself.
“Getting local businesses talking to each other is beneficial for all local business, so let’s get Oldham trending so everyone can enjoy the collective benefits as the town continues to grow.
“A great evening was had by everyone, as new friendships and business relationships were forged. A big thank you must go to the Blue Tiffin team who provided delicious food and excellent service.”
The evening also helped raise £115 for the ‘Give Local Oldham’, which is supporting Mahdlo, Dr Kershaws Hospice, Action Oldham, Oldham Coliseum, Maggies Oldham and Kingfisher School.
The organisations who came along to the event included Whittaker Design, OCL, AFC Oldham, Ryder & Dutton, AC Tyres, Oldham Athletic FC, Andy Hall, Cornerhouse Cakes, Simply Skin, Studio G Photography, All about Oldham, Sports Physio UK, Doing Biz for Yourself, Muz Khan, Kashif Ashraf, Think 4 IT, Live Oldham, Mahdlo, Action Oldham, Dale bathrooms, Around Saddleworth & Tameside Magazine, Sensibly Designed Limited, Print and Wed Design, Jude Gidney Photography, KP Life Coach, Darren Robinson Photography, Forty3 and Targamar Dog Grooming.
For more information on how you can join the Oldham Hour group and help your business grow, go online to: www.oldhamhour.co.uk
