The success of a recent new office space open day has led to local entrepreneur Javed Akbar stating that Oldham businesses can be in an ‘amazing’ position to continue to prosper at his site, despite current country-wide challenges.
Mr. Akbar owns the extensively refurbished Ram Mill office and storage space just off Broadway in Chadderton.
Speaking at the recent open day event, which he described as an ‘overwhelming’ success, Mr. Akbar told the Chronicle: “We’ve had lots of visitors, lots of interest, with several businesses signing-up as well.
“This is an amazing building. It’s been here since 1907 so there’s lot of heritage, and that in itself means a lot to me and my family, and the people around us.
“We’ve given this building a new lease of life, transforming it into a modern and versatile space that offers new scope for everyone in the future.
“It is called the Ram Mill Business Centre, because it’s not just offices, it’s a business centre that will serve many different purposes. “There are several boardrooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, training rooms, function areas and even a gym, all here under one roof.”
Ram Mill has been attractively refurbished keeping many of the original features to provide a variety of modern and unique character office spaces with appealing features such as high ceilings, exposed brickwork, excellent natural light and plentiful parking, as well as an incredible new main reception area.
“At today’s Open Day, visitors have been shocked to be honest,” added Mr. Akbar. “We wanted to showcase exactly what we’ve done here, and how business people in Oldham can be re-energised by coming here. I say that because there’s nothing to compare us too, and people today, want that work-life balance these days.
“They don’t just want to be in an office. Ram Mill is a complex which offers so many things – not just office space but break-out areas, working areas, the gym, a rooftop terrace, and a cafeteria which will be coming very soon.
“You can get an office anywhere, but we want to be different here.
“We’ve spent millions here to be different, and certainly today, people appear to appreciate that.
“Ram Mill deserves to sit up proud in this community, and it does. You can see the dome on the roof from the M60 motorway.
“I’m standing proud in the lobby here, I’m here to stay, and that’s the vision I want all people to have when they come here.
“We’ve got big plans for this place, it’s beautiful here, and we won’t compromise on it in any way whatsoever.
“We’ll continue to invest here in Oldham, meaning by the end our renovation project we will have spent around £12m in total.”
Smart, spotless office suites are still available from less than 1,000 sq ft, up to a full floor which can be offered of around 33,500 sq ft.
Following an initial £3million redevelopment programme in 2019, Ram Mill was initially converted into one of East Manchester’s leading self-storage facilities with the office, business and hospitality event spaces following over the subsequent 3 years, evolving into what we can offer today.
The former textile mill on Gordon Street was built in 1907 towards the end of the Lancashire cotton boom.
Ram Mill is ideally situated adjoining J21 of the M60 motorway, accessed via the A663 Broadway, providing swift access to Oldham town centre, Manchester and the region’s wider motorway network.
For more information, log on to: www.rammill.co.uk
The mill ceased textile production in 1971 as the industry moved overseas. It changed ownership over the years and was bought by the Akbar family in 2008.
