Spindles space open for business

A decade-long dream of creating a buzzing base for Oldham business has finally been achieved – as Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds cut the ribbon and opened The Hive.

Run by social enterprise Upturn and situated in The Spindles shopping centre, the Oldham Council backed space boasts meeting, media, and training rooms, complete with kitchen facilities.

But the biggest boom for businesses is that it also allows them to access a network of community commerce contacts and even an academy to pluck young apprentices to fill skills gaps.

All of which is Upturn’s daily business.

“When we talk about community, it is always about people and place, but sometimes we forget business” said Anwar Ali OBE, CEO of Upturn. “If you are a business in Oldham, whether you are starting up or need help, where do you go? Well, now you have a hive where you’ll thrive – and get that critical support.”

National figures show that small companies in the UK provide 300,000 new jobs each year and are responsible for two out of every three posts created. But despite their energy, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial spirit, 20 per cent still don’t make it through their first year of trading. 

Since its inception in 2004, Upturn has been ensuring that small enterprises, particularly those who give back to the community, have marketing, business planning, and even mentoring support. Their chief aim is to unlock local people’s potential, and by working with the business community, they have helped over 8000 individuals into work or training. Often these people are from severely disadvantaged communities.

One of its partners is UCAN, a not-for-profit campaign to build up young people’s confidence and skills and dissuade them from anti-social behaviour, including knife crime. “Upturn was able to help us access funding and offer marketing support and contacts” said Steve Kenny, founder of the drive, “we are also taking advantage of the office space in The Hive. Having others around you, including the council situated literally opposite, is a huge bonus and will help us change lives.”

Light use of The Hive one-day-per-month is priced at £100 whilst a flexible year monthly passport to the facility is £150. In return, organisations will pay no rates, have access to broadband, gain use of the communal meeting spaces, unlimited tea and coffee and of course, be able to utilise Upturn and its business network and apprenticeship academy.

Speaking at The Hive’s launch in front of Jonathan Reynolds MP Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade; MPs Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams; Leader of Oldham Council Councillor Arooj Shah and Mayor Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE; Anwar Ali concluded: “Ultimately this space is Oldham’s, we are merely custodians. As this town changes, develops and grows businesses want to play their part and feel involved in the wider family of our borough. Now, thanks to The Hive, they can.”