The £220k grants which could be handed to people in Oldham

Oldham council is taking on unemployment in the borough with two new schemes to boost local businesses. The council will hand out £220k in grants to entrepreneurs and small business owners in what it called a “brilliant opportunity” to help build 40 new enterprises and 72 new jobs in the area.

The news comes after recent employment figures by the Office for National Statistics found 4.3 percent of Oldhamers are unemployed - higher than the 3.9 pc national average.

Councillor Fida Hussain, the council leader for business, employment and enterprise, said: “We’re determined to boost business and jobs in Oldham which is why we’re supporting new start-ups or ambitious businesses which need help to grow.

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“So, if you are an Oldham entrepreneur or looking to start up in the borough and need a helping hand to help us make a more prosperous Oldham, we want to hear from you.”

The ‘Start-up Grant’ scheme, run by Oldham Enterprise Trust, will provide grants of up to £1,000 for those looking to start their own business. They’ll also receive support to develop a business plan and figuring out cash flow.

Meanwhile a ‘Business Growth Grant’ run by the council will focus on the businesses already up and running in Oldham. The money can be used for projects like buying new machinery or expanding a business premises.

Up to 50 pc of the project costs - up to a maximum of £10k - will be funded by the council. There is £180k up for grabs, with the council estimating to support around 70 businesses.

But business owners will only receive the funding if the projects will result in new employment by March 31, 2025.

The council has indicated