The inaugural Rossendale Means Business Expo was heralded a huge success as businesses showcased their industries and many connections were made.
Organised by digital marketing agency GrowTraffic’s Rachel Weinhold and Erin Dempsey, Rossendale Council Business Advisor Tariq Ali and Boommm Consultancy and Marketing Jane Pallister, the Expo held at The Whitaker Art Gallery and Museum in Rawtenstall, featured 43 exhibitors and businesses alongside community organisations.
Platinum sponsor Woodcocks Haworth Nuttall, WHN, presented one of the free workshops when Director Sara Beaumont discussed credit control and debt recovery.
Leroy Philbrook, from Positive Action in the Community, which has a base in Rawtenstall, attended Sara’s talk and said: “I thought it was very interesting and informative and she really knew about the subject. I think what I learnt will help one of the charities I work for.”
WHN Associate Director Julie Sutherland said: “Our roots are firmly here – with offices in Rawtenstall and Haslingden – and for us the Expo has been making business friendships in the area and seeing how businesses can work together.
“I think this is about putting a face to a name. For some people, it can be a challenge to step through a door of a solicitors, but here people have been to call at our stall, meet us informally and have a chat and find out what we do.”
After 20 years of working for others, financial advisor Laura Shufflebotham has just set up working for herself as Smith-Taylor and used the event to launch her new business.
Also launching her new Be Better Networking Hubs was Tracy Heatley. She said: “It has been really good for reconnecting with people and some of those I have met here I have only previously seen online.”
Her Rochdale and Accrington hubs opened that day with Preston, Rossendale and Burnley following on.
Mayor of Rossendale Councillor Judith Driver was delighted to see the range of businesses represented and praised the key organisers Rachel Weinhold, Jane Pallister and Tariq Ali.
She said: “This event is absolutely fabulous; it is just what we need to be doing – shouting about what fantastic businesses we have in Rossendale and community diversity. This needs to be an annual event.”
Originally based in Whitworth, Slingco has gone from strength-to-strength since expanding to premises in Rawtenstall and was a gold sponsor of the Expo.
Sales Administrator Mark Stoddart said: “This event has been very interesting, and we have got to speak to different businesses in the local area.
“As a manufacturing business, we work with the oil and gas industry, and we have expanded and now have bases in the US and Australia.”
With a workforce of just over 300 in Haslingden, Interfloor was another Gold sponsor.
Marketing Manager Paul Marsh said: “It has been great to see all the local businesses represented; it is surprising what there is available in this very small community. We have had lots of really relevant inquiries about our industry too.”
Silver sponsor Sharon Aspinall of Agape Funeral Services said: “We have been letting people know that there are lots of different options other than the traditional funeral. Two girls visited who were most surprised to find you can personalise even the interior of a coffin.”
Commercial photographer Liz Hall, of Liz Henson Photography, was busy capturing the event, while also promoting her business.
She said: “We have had lots of interest in corporate headshots and profile images, and genuine interest in local businesses working with local businesses. As a working mum, that fits my business ethos.”
Bacup Pride was among several community organisations represented and Chair Pat Smith said: “We have had very interesting conversations and have maybe been invited to do a talk. It has been interesting picking up information about various other local organisations and finding out what there is in Rossendale.”
The Expo will take place again in 2025.