While many parts of the borough are shrouded in the doom and gloom of a struggling economy, this one town in Oldham is working hard to keep its businesses booming.
It's no secret businesses are struggling at the moment, particularly for restaurants, pubs and bars as the cost-of-living crisis and another recession is hitting the industry.
Customers may be more inclined to stay at home or shop online while businesses suffer the double-whammy of lower footfall yet higher stock costs and rocketing bills just to keep the lights on.
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However, Royton is determined to weather the storm in a spirit of togetherness as business owners lean on one another, encourage residents to shop local and get the opportunity to freely advertise their ventures to the eyes of a 20,300-strong online community.
'Royton Community Hub' was born in December 2020 as Andy Powell sparked a street-wide Whatsapp group during Covid to offer support.
The digital trainer and self-proclaimed 'web geek' thought about expanding the group to benefit the whole of Royton, and soon asked Deborah Wroe as a fellow Roytoner to join him on the admin side of things with her background in social media experience.
The membership then spiralled and started to give some struggling local businesses a well-needed leg up with Thursday shout-outs to coincide with Royton's market day.
Bru'd Awakenin's on The Old Mill on Shepherd Street is one business which is grateful for the exposure.
Katie Holland, manager of the cosy cafe which recently celebrated receiving an award and its fifth birthday, said she regularly relies on the group and is "so thankful" for being able to reach as many customers as they do.
She added: "We post on 'business Thursdays' with any new offers or events we are hosting, and we always get an amazing response from everyone in the Hub.
"This kind of exposure would undoubtedly cost us a huge amount of money with an advertising agency, so we are so grateful they allow us to do this without a charge.
"We frequently get new customers who tell us they saw our post in the group and didn't even know we were here prior.
"It really is a wonderful facility for the people of Royton and for us as a business."
Meanwhile, Carlo DePetrillo, owner of Carlo's Barbers on Middleton Road, said he is celebrating four decades in the business and 27 years in Royton.
He said: "We all help each other - like Bru'd, I love what they do.
"I wish we had even more variation in businesses, as I don't think all the takeaways help as they don't bring any daytime economy, but that seems like most towns now.
"But on our corner of Royton, there are lots of businesses here and a few people have hardly heard of us."
Carlo said Nicks Kit Army Surplus Store, Taekwondo Black Belt School, Maypole Granary and the tattoo artist, Andy DeBlasio, were also well worth visiting.
He continued: "The community page is needed, it helps us promote the businesses in the area.
"It's a great addition for any business and of course, it's free."
A dog trainer, who went on to help tame Jason Manford's family pet, Buddy, also said the group has catapulted his business, NB Dog Training, over the years.
Niall Barnes said: "As a service-based business, I need to minimise my travel time and cost.
"I'm a born and bred Roytoner, so when Andy created the group, I saw the opportunity to get my services in front of the eyeballs of local people.
"It led to me getting a fair amount of new customers.
"My business has gone from strength to strength in the last five years and I honestly don't think it would be anywhere near as far along now without Royton Community Hub."
For textile designer and Oldham Athletic fan, Sam Corry, whose handmade hats have shot to fame including her Frank Rothwell-inspired flat caps, also attributed the group with helping shine a spotlight on her work.
Her business, From Samarie to You, was launched in lockdown when she created a notebook design with a football-themed fluffy hat on and posted the product on social media.
Hundreds of requests then prompted her to make the physical hat - and the rest is history.
Sam said: "I had a sample made and got more than 100 pre-orders in two weeks, and people are still ordering it four years later!
"I have brought out many new designs and I take requests for other team colours.
"My shop sells bobble hats, notebooks, flat caps, scarves, embroidered cushions, t-shirts and mugs.
"For those who don't want football merchandise, I also have a range of quality fashion hats that are made of British wool."
When asked about the community page, Sam said the group has been a "great help".
She continued: "It's an additional platform for me and others to get our name out there.
"The page has a substantial audience that we would otherwise find hard to reach.
"The added bonus is that it is free to advertise on their Thursday local business day.
"It is always lovely seeing the people of Royton supporting their own and I'd like to thank whoever has bought my products over the last three years."
When asked about how he feels to see his initiative support so many local businesses, Andy said: "I never thought it would take off like it has done, but I'm glad it has.
"It's great to see that our approach has led to positive outcomes for local businesses - and it shows local Facebook groups are more than just for reuniting dogs."
Deborah also said: "I think a lot of people would rather spend their money locally given the chance, and our group is a great way to find local businesses that you might not have known about.
"I've personally found some great products and services I wouldn't have necessarily found otherwise."
If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.
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