Why Rochdale is great for business

Clare Coria is one of the most familiar names in Rochdale’s business community.

The director of Coria Commercial Finance has been helping companies with their funding questions for years.

A proud member of Rochdale Ambassadors she’s born and bred in Rochdale and as a child went to St Vincent’s Primary School; St Wilfrid’s Middle School; and Bishop Henshaw High School, in the borough.

Clare said: “I admire anybody who runs a business in Rochdale especially during 2020. It was a very challenging year but it felt good to be part of the Rochdale Ambassadors group and be kept up-to-date about what was going on in the borough by the RDA.

“It was also good to constantly hear positive stories about local businesses and it felt like everyone was pulling together and supporting each other.”

She said Rochdale’s a great place to base a business.

“Rochdale’s motorway links and industrial estates are very good for business,” said Clare. “Also we have easy access to Manchester and we’re only 40 minutes to both Liverpool, Leeds and Preston. This makes us ideally placed to do business anywhere in the North West.

“Furthermore we’re only 25 miles from the airport. We have all the advantages of being close to the city while remaining a small mill town where people are still proud to be from Rochdale, born and bred and surrounded by beautiful countryside.”

When she’s not working Clare loves nothing more than enjoying the borough’s countryside.

“Having always been from the Norden area we are lucky to have so many beautiful walks around our area,” she said.  “There’s Greenbooth Reservoir, Ashworth Valley, Cheesden, Rooley Moor and Healey Dell etc etc. Lockdown made me realise how lucky we are to live here.

“The town centre buildings are beautiful, especially the town hall. It’s a tribute to the historic success and importance of the town. I’m so glad that Hitler didn’t get his hands on it! I thought this was just a story my Nana used to tell me but turns out it’s true!”