Oldham has a population of 230,823, and has an above-average rate of people in full-time employment. There are strong work-flows (commutes) between Oldham and it’s neighbouring boroughs, Rochdale, Tameside and Manchester.

Oldham has 7,295 businesses employing 90,000 people. Continuing growth in Oldham is likely to take place mainly within the construction, professional services, business services, administrative support with the largest growth to take place in arts, entertainment & recreation.

Rochdale is in the north-east of Greater Manchester, with a population estimated at 215,392, with over 7500 active enterprises.

Rochdale’s Development Agency has recently secured a £370m investment boost for a series of regeneration projects throughout the borough. This will deliver 1,280 new homes, two million sq ft of commercial floor space and 3,200 new jobs for Rochdale residents in the next three years.

Tameside in the south-east corner of Greater Manchester consists of 6 towns, including the main administrative centre in Ashton-Under-Lyne

Tameside’s estimated population is 226,943. The majority employed in retail, manufacturing and construction.