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Business Resources

Build a Business

Build A Business Greater Manchester is a free business support programme that helps people across Greater Manchester start, develop, and grow their businesses. Aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs, freelancers, self-employed individuals, and small business owners.

For more information about Build a Business and the other services we provide to support local businesses, can be found here.

Oldham Libraries also provides access to a range of database resources listed below.

Let’s Talk Business

Let’s Talk Business (in association with Build a Business) is an opportunity for you to to grab a brew and speak to some of our local business experts.

These sessions take place on the first Tuesday of the month at Oldham Library.

These sessions are ideal for small to medium enterprises looking to take the next step and start-ups specialising in food and tattooing (All Greater Manchester based Entrepreneurs are welcome to attend.)

Joining us for our Let’s Talk Business Sessions are:

  • Brain Creswell from the Business Growth Hub
  • Martine Brown from Oldham Council Business Compliance
  • Andy Powell founder of Inclusive Bytes
  • Denise Scott founder of Scott HR Consultancy

Simply visit Business Support – Lets Talk Business Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite and register so we know to expect you!

Business Databases

Library visitors have access to a variety of powerful business databases and information resources.

Whether you’re well-established or taking your first steps towards starting up, market research is vital to your business planning – you need to know who your potential customers and competitors are in order to plan effectively.

Use our industry-standard business databases and save yourself time and money.

COBRA

COBRA is a practical and comprehensive resource for anyone wanting to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.

Access:

Log in from anywhere with your library card number at

Grantfinder

GrantFinder is the leading funding database in the UK and Europe, covering local, national, and international sources of funding for public, private, and community organizations. It will enable you to identify, apply for and manage funding. Features over 8,000 continuously updated funding opportunities.

Access:

In BIPC Oldham (Oldham Library, First Floor) only, please ask a member of staff to provide access to this database.

Local Data Online

Local Data Online has a team that is on the ground daily, physically examining every retail location across the UK to capture an accurate and dynamic picture of the UK high street. Historic analysis, present and future forecasts can be taken from this data, enabling businesses to make better strategic decisions.

Access:

In BIPC Oldham (Oldham Library, First Floor) only, please ask a member of staff to provide access to this database.

Frost and Sullivan

Frost and Sullivan is a specialist market analysis database, focussing on the sciences and technology, providing in-depth global market research & strategy reports covering medical technology, chemicals & plastics, automation, electronics, energy systems, environmental and building technologies and IT.

Access:

Log on from any Oldham Library PC or the Oldham Library Wifi, and select campus login

member.frost.com – Website

Statista

Statista is a worldwide resource containing reports, statistics, outlooks and infographics from over 22,500 reliable UK, European, North and South American and Asian sources on more than 170 major industries

Access:

Log on from any Oldham Library PC or the Oldham Library Wifi.

Ask about business

Ask About Business is a partnership of library services across the Northwest with the aim of providing high-quality information and support for local businesses.

  • Ask about business – Web page for information on everything from business planning, marketing, workshops and help with tax queries.