Search for Business Boom Starts with a Bang

SEVENTY representatives from Tameside’s business community came together when the Civic Mayor, Cllr Tafheen Sharif, organised a networking dinner at the award-winning Indian Plaza, Audenshaw.

As well as providing a valuable opportunity to make new contacts and demonstrate the breadth and diversity of business in the borough, the event raised more than £2,000 for the Mayor’s charity appeal which comprises Home Start (HOST), which helps young and vulnerable families; We Shall Overcome, Pauline Town’s charity for the homeless, and West African Development which supports Tameside’s ethnic minorities in need.

Speakers were Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce president Emma Holt; the executive leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Gerald Cooney; and Cllr Jack Naylor, Tameside Council’s executive member for inclusive growth, business and employment.

The dinner was very well received, with comments ranging from “The Civic Mayor is a great host. It was an evening well spent with local business people” to “the event was excellent. It provided some great networking opportunities.”

Cllr Sharif commented: “I was staggered by the success of the dinner and that it could attract so many people on a January evening. I had been hoping we might see 40 people but in the end we got almost double that figure.

“I organised the event because I believe it’s important for our businesses to have the chance and space to network in Tameside, which is a place where things are really happening.

“We have an amazing business community in the borough and beyond, and I have so much respect for the people who work so hard and add so much value to our area.

“As Tameside's first ethnic minority and Muslim mayor I used the event to showcase all the diversity we have, including within our business community.

“I would like to thank each and every business and person that attended and supported me, my working group, all the generous donors and sponsors for the auction prizes, and of course the Indian Plaza for the amazing food and service.”

Businesses supporting the networking dinner were: Adi Group, Age UK, Aladin Show,  Amphorea Packaging, Blackburn and Darwen Police Amateur Boxing Club, Data Centre Plus, Eco Energy Rating, Feedo Needo, Foresight IT Services, Guide Bridge Theatre, Khalidoscope Services, KN Power Development, Love your Tameside, Maj Digital, Multiquip, Mustafa Sharif Charity UK, North West Air Ambulance, Purple Pakora, Rizwan Naseer Groceries, Scholars School System, Style Statement, Upturn Enterprise, Visiting Angels, Walker Sime, Wrigley Claydon Solicitors.