News / By Fire Up / 21st October 2025
Welcome to the Fire Up Rochdale October Newsletter!
With autumn here and 2025 winding down, now is an ideal time to refocus and make meaningful progress. Fire Up remains a place where ideas take root, connections form, and businesses thrive.
This edition features highlights from recent events where freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners came together to learn and collaborate. We’ve covered topics like international growth, marketing, and leadership based on strong values.
We’re also exploring how the change in seasons can inspire both personal and professional growth and how having the right tools and space can help you achieve new goals.
Whether you're a regular or just discovering Fire Up, we’re here to support your journey with workspace, community, and opportunities to grow.
In This Issue:
- Blog: Turn Over a New Leaf This Autumn at Fire Up
- News: Recent events recap | Updates from Fire Up
- Upcoming events: Whats coming up at Fire Up
- Business Support: How Fire Up can support your business
Turn Over a New Leaf This Autumn at Fire Up
With the children back at school, adults are given the chance to reclaim their routines, and autumn is the perfect time to revisit old projects or start something new. Having the right space can make all the difference. Whether you need quiet focus or creative energy, Fire Up Rochdale offers the ideal environment to support your next step.
Ready to reset and refocus?
Recent events at Fire Up
Over the past few months, Fire Up has been buzzing with activity, hosting a range of events and workshops delivered by EnterprisingYou and GM Business Growth Hub, all designed to support and inspire our local business community.
We kicked things off with the latest Freelancer Friday: Scale with Culture, where guest speaker Mary Fashanu shared powerful insights on leveraging core values and workplace culture to drive growth and attract top talent.
Next, we welcomed Atom Valley-based businesses for an International Growth Workshop, led by Ishan Dutta from the Hub and Andrew Daly from the Department for Business and Trade. Attendees explored how to plan an overseas launch and left with a practical one-year export strategy.
Finally, our EnterprisingYou Women’s Coffee Morning brought together women in business for a lively session on marketing, guided by Clare Braithwaite and Jane Jones. Despite the stormy weather, the room was full of energy, ideas, and new connections. You don’t want to miss the next Women’s Networking event coming up on 13th November. Details for this can be found below.
More awards for Fire Up
We are delighted to have been announced as a 2025 winner of the SME Business Elite Awards. We’ve been recognised as one of the Best Digital Co-Working & Business Hubs 2025 in the North West.
Get Festive for a Good Cause!
We’re excited to share that Fire Up Rochdale will celebrate Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday, 11th December! Everyone is welcome to wear their most festive jumpers and help us raise money for Save the Children and Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. We’re also planning a raffle and are looking for prize donations. If you or your business can help, please contact Deborah Barnes at DeborahBarnes@growthco.uk. Let’s join together to spread holiday cheer and support these great causes!
We recently said goodbye to Nick Dale, who has left GM Business Growth Hub to take on a new role with Rochdale Development Agency. Nick has been a great colleague and a key part of the Fire Up community. We’ll miss seeing him every day, but he’s still nearby, and we hope to see him around Fire Up from time to time.
Wishing you all the best in your new venture, Nick!
Women in Business: The Inner Edge – Self-Leadership Tools for Sustainable Success | 13th November | 9:30am - 12:00pm
Jane Jones and Clare Braithwaite from EnterprisingYou welcome Lou Booth, founder of Elementas Coaching, for a session designed to help women business owners reconnect with their purpose and lead with clarity and confidence. Expect a guided business review, practical self-leadership tools rooted in mindfulness, and time for relaxed networking over coffee.
Spark to Scale – Rochdale, Oldham & Tameside | Programme starts 6th November
Spark to Scale is a six-week programme for ambitious Greater Manchester businesses, offering expert support, strategic focus, and peer networking for growth.
Applications for our next Spark to Scale cohort (Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside) are now open! Apply by 3rd November to secure your place and fast-track your business growth.
Rochdale Business Awards | 21st November
This year's Rochdale Business Awards are taking place on Friday, 21st November 2025 at Rochdale Town Hall. We’ll be at the awards alongside GM Business Growth Hub, who are sponsoring the Sustainability Award. Award entries are now closed. If you want to add your name/business to the waiting list, please email l.hurst@investinrochdale.co.uk or call 01706 927000 for further information.
We’re excited to share that new office spaces are now open in our co-working community. If you’ve been considering a more collaborative, inspiring place to work, this could be the perfect time to make the move.
Ideal if your business is between locations, relocating, or needs a private office temporarily. We’ve got you covered.
Ready to move in or have questions? Contact us at info@fireuprochdale.co.uk or call 01706 614848 to discuss workspace options.
Explore your options and discover the workspace that best suits your needs.
Empowering Business Growth in Rochdale - EnterprisingYou & GM Business Growth Hub
Whether you're starting out or looking to grow, EnterprisingYou and GM Business Growth Hub provide expert guidance.
We have Rochdale-based advisors working from Fire Up who are ready to support business owners with one-on-one advice and provide tailored resources to help businesses across Rochdale.
Fire Up provides everything you need to run a successful small business.
Share Your Fire Up Co-Working Story!
Share your Fire Up story and inspire others. Email info@fireuprochdale.co.uk to be featured in a future issue!
Drop in any time to work or connect. Your community and workspace are always here for you at Fire Up Co-Working.
The Fire Up Co-Working Team