Running a business in Bolton? We’re here to help you achieve more.

Embedded in the town, our experts know the ins and outs of doing business here and have the local knowledge, resources and connections to drive your progress.

No matter your industry, we’ve got you covered… with additional resources available for those working in advanced manufacturing, digital and creative, green tech or health innovation.

We dive deep into what makes your organisation tick, to really understand your goals. You then get a custom-fit support plan specifically tailored to your unique needs, along with regular check-ins to make sure we’re helping your business achieve its ambitions.

So, whether you’re a micro company working to get the basics right, an SME preparing for growth, or a large organisation looking to take the next step, let’s have a chat to see how we can support you.

Your Team

Mark Nelson

Account Manager

Mark is on hand to ensure GM Business Growth Hub is delivering for Bolton, pinpointing the programmes, partners and funding sources to best address the needs of businesses in the area.

Alex Miller

Enterprise Specialist

Alex supports those with a budding business idea as well as established self-employed individuals, freelancers and gig economy workers.

Oliver Witty Bolton

Oliver Witty

Local Innovation Connector

Oliver is part of the Innovation Navigator team working to develop and accelerate the commercialisation of innovative products and services.

Jane Duffy

WFD advisor

Jane is part of the WFD team, advising companies on ways to attract, train and grow their workforce.

Events

Looking for the latest information about our events, which might give you valuable advice and insight from our experts? Don't miss the chance to register!

Innovation

The Lean Champion: Providing the foundations for manufacturing

Growth

BGH Match - Bolton

Growth

International Growth Explorer

Innovation

Manufacturing Culture and Leadership

Growth

Co-Working Connect: A new, sociable way to work

Growth

BGH Match - Manchester - Power in Partnerships

People

Social Economy Skills Building and Network Event

Self Employment

Starting a Business Confidently

Innovation

The AI Advantage: Unlocking AI for Efficiency, Communication and Learning

Innovation

Problem Solving for Manufacturers

Growth

Unlocking Success: Discover The Power of The King’s Awards for Enterprise

Growth

BGH Match - Salford

Innovation

Business Development for Manufacturers

Growth

Thriving Through Change: Business resilience for early years providers

Self Employment

Starting a Business Confidently

Growth

Co-Working Connect: A new, sociable way to work

Funding

RAISE – Understanding Equity Finance

Innovation

AI, Data, and Ethics: Understanding Risks and Regulations

Growth

BGH Match – Bury

Innovation

The Lean Champion: Providing the foundations for manufacturing.

Funding

Business Growth through Debt Funding

Growth

Co-Working Connect: A new, sociable way to work

HereForBusiness

Navigating New Employment Law: What Businesses Need to Know in 2025

Innovation

Building greater AI confidence: New insights for business leaders

Self Employment

Understanding your business funding options

People

Measuring and Reporting Social Value

People

Implementing a Wellbeing Strategy in Your Business

Growth

BGH Match – Trafford

HereForBusiness

Blueprint for Success: Crafting a Winning Business Plan

Self Employment

Confidence 101: A Women’s Workshop & Networking Experience

Innovation

Manufacturing Culture and Leadership

People

Introduction to Social Value

People

Championing Wellbeing: Effective Strategies for Managing Stress

Self Employment

Starting a Business in Sport & Leisure

Self Employment

Festival of Enterprise

Innovation

Health Innovation Catalyst – Greater Manchester

Self Employment

The Self-Employed Leader: Developing Your Unique Leadership Style

Innovation

Lean Champion

Self Employment

Discover Your Purpose 101: A Women’s Workshop & Networking Experience

Self Employment

Everything you wanted to know about starting a Food and Drink Business

HereForBusiness

Financially Savvy: Managing Your Business Finances Wisely

Growth

Thriving in Hospitality: A Wellbeing Event for Business Owners

Self Employment

Freelance Friday

Growth

Tameside Talks Business Networking Drop-In

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Introduction to Planning and Finance (Evening session)

People

Leading Innovation

Innovation

Sales and Marketing for Manufacturers

Innovation

Innovation Marketplace: High-Impact Expertise On Your Doorstep Wigan & Bolton

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Entrepreneurial Mindset and Marketing (Evening session)

Self Employment

How to Start a Social Enterprise

Sales

Tax Relief & Finance for the Construction Sector

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Manchester

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Salford

Self Employment

Freelance Thursday

HereForBusiness

Smart Savings: Practical Strategies for Reducing Business Expenses

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Trafford

Sales

Stockport Public Procurement - How to Write Quotations, Proposals & Tenders

Growth

Behind the Scenes

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Stockport

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Tameside

People

People and Performance Management

People

Implementing a Wellbeing Strategy in Your Business (February)

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Introduction to Business Planning and Finance

People

Leading People

Growth

Leverage LinkedIn to grow your manufacturing business

People

Introducing Leadership Wellbeing: Strategies for effectively managing stress (February)

Innovation

Innovation Marketplace: High-Impact Expertise On Your Doorstep Stockport & Tameside

People

Employee Engagement in the Workplace

Self Employment

Starting a Business Using AI

Sales

Rochdale Public Procurement - How to Write Quotations, Proposals & Tenders

HereForBusiness

Sales Mastery: Navigating Local and International Markets

Growth

Tendering and Bid Writing: Improving your skills and strategies

People

Management Essentials – Developing Middle/Junior Managers

People

Future-Proofing Your Business: Key Updates on Employment Rights

People

Leading Organisation

Self Employment

Unlocking Success: An afternoon to transform your business.

People

Recruitment and Onboarding – Getting it Right First Time

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Oldham

Self Employment

EY/African Business Chamber - Starting Your Business

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Wigan

Growth

Volunteering & Networking: Make a Difference and Meet Great People!

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Rochdale

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Bury

Growth

Business Resilience: How can we help you in 2025?

People

Leading Self

Innovation

Protect What Matters: A Guide to SME Data Security

Growth

Introduction to Tendering and Bid Writing: Winning More Work

Innovation

Innovation Marketplace: High-Impact Expertise On Your Doorstep Salford & Trafford

Growth

Partner Event: Tameside Means Business Net Zero Festival 2024

Innovation

Innovation Marketplace: High-Impact Expertise On Your Doorstep Bury, Oldham & Rochdale

Growth

Bury Business Drop In

Growth

Partner Event: Building the OPEN SME Community

Growth

Identifying success for you, your business and your clients before strategy

Self Employment

Enterprising You: Starting Your Business - Bolton

Growth

Lightning Sessions

Innovation

Lean Champion

People

Managing your workforce through change – staying ahead of the curve

Growth

Food and Drink Hospitality Support

Growth

Mastering Digital Marketing for Manufacturers

People

Pure Leadership Taster

People

Power Up Your People Strategies

Sustainability

Green Leaders Sustainability

Successes

Bridging the Digital Divide: John Hastings' Journey with Recycle-IT!

With a mission to bridge the digital divide and reduce electronic waste, John Hastings founded Recycle-IT! (Bolton) CIC in 2021, an innovative social enterprise based in Bolton. John's journey took a positive turn when he joined Start Smart and EnterprisingYou by the GM Business Growth Hub.

Learn more

Invisu

A Bolton SME is aiming to triple its client base within 12 months after building a new digital product to assist innovation in the manufacturing, engineering, chemical and logistics sectors.

Learn more

A Cracking Combination - Carrs Pasties

Hear from Carrs Pasties about the phenomenal impact that our support has had on the business, highlights from the team and where the business is heading in the future.

Learn more

Bolton-based pasty company discovers missing ingredient after receiving disability awareness workshops

A Manchester disability awareness training provider has partnered with Carrs Pasties to help staff understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Learn more

Get in touch

Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.

Take that first step and we’ll support you with whatever you need to succeed.

First name *

Surname *

Email address *

Phone *

Postcode

Message

Where did you hear about GM Business Growth Hub?

Are you living or trading in Greater Manchester?

By contacting us, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

FAQs

Where can I find out more about plans for the economy in Bolton?

Bolton Council's Corporate Plan describes the role the Council will play and how it aims to work alongside communities, partner organisations and businesses: Corporate Plan

In 2021, Bolton Council officially adopted an ambitious climate change strategy, which sets out how the council will work with other organisations in Bolton to address climate change: Bolton Climate Change Strategy

What other resources are there for businesses in Bolton?

Business Bolton is Bolton Council’s one stop shop for supporting individuals and businesses to achieve economic prosperity in Bolton: Business Bolton

How do I keep up to date about what’s going on in Bolton?

Subscribe to Bolton Council’s Business Bolton newsletter to find out about the latest news, events and business opportunities: Newsletter sign-up

Follow Business Bolton on Twitter/X for Information, advice and news for businesses: @businessbolton

Sign-up to our newsletter

Insights, news, events and opportunities straight to your inbox.