Meet the international design agency founded in Rochdale

Posted by on 11 Oct 2023

Photo © David Williams, Urbansoul

As part of Rochdale Development Agency’s 30th birthday celebrations were speaking to some of the region’s longest established businesses.

When designer David Williams decided to launch his own agency 20 years ago he opted to stay ‘close to his roots’ by launching Urbansoul in Rochdale, in November 2003, and he’s never looked back.

Urbansoul prides itself on producing work that is ethical, honest and effective, putting client support as its number one priority.

The agency works with businesses of all sizes, from artisan jewellers to global engineering companies, and supports businesses with e-commerce website solutions and branding, helping them to take their products to a global audience.

A lot of the agency’s work comes from the North West and around Rochdale, but their client base extends as far as the US and more recently Botswana.

Proud to be described as a ‘small company with big ideas’, Urbansoul specialise in bespoke WordPress web development, web design and brochure design.

Williams said: “We want to bring high-quality website development to SMEs, schools and the NHS.

“We’re experts in Wordpress design and development, from local business web design to large e-commerce stores.

“As a business we’re well respected in the education market, which is how we came to build a website for a school in Botswana.

“We’ll continue to support businesses of all sizes with their branding, marketing and website solutions, to help them thrive in these challenging times.”

Reflecting on clocking up 20 years in business, Williams said: “It’s not been easy. We’ve gone through various recessions, Covid and Brexit and we’re still here.

“Since Covid we’ve worked remotely. Being a digital first business we make the most of technology to help us be more efficient. This also saves commuting and travel time and is so much better for the environment.

“During the last 20 years Rochdale has really changed for the better. You can see the improvements at Kingsway and the town centre regeneration.

“The Rochdale Development Agency helps to answer any business questions we have and we’ve also been able to take advantage of various training options.

“I’ve never had any regrets about being based in Rochdale. I live in Rochdale, my kids go to school in Rochdale and my wife and I are both school governors.”

Williams said: “We’ve never been busier and continue to grow and work with clients both locally, nationally and internationally.”