Catch the bus for advice on business

SMALL business owners can get free advice from experts and fellow entrepreneurs this week.

The Small Business Saturday bus will be parked outside the town hall from 10am to 2pm on Friday.

All types of small businesses can drop in on the day for free support and advice.

Council leader Richard Farnell said: “As a council, we’ve always backed this worthwhile campaign, so I’m really proud to see that Rochdale has been selected as just one of 29 different towns and cities which will get a visit from the Small Business Saturday bus.”

Coun Peter Williams, cabinet member for business, skills and employment, said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our high streets.

“They bring jobs, investment and a uniqueness that you simply don’t get with the larger chains. They also tend to spend with other local businesses and keep money in the local economy, which benefits everyone. I would urge the many fantastic small businesses we have in the borough to hop aboard the bus and take advantage of this fantastic free advice.”

Now in its fifth year, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, not-for-profit campaign, which originated in the US in 2010 and aims to celebrate small businesses.

On the day itself, Saturday, December 2, there will be a craft market in the Rochdale Exchange, where a selection of small businesses will sell their products.