Local Business Accelerators: Accelerate your success

THE Press has joined up with other local newspapers to support some of the most exciting fledgling enterprises in the UK.

The Press is one of 500 newspapers which together will search for the nation’s most promising young businesses and help them accelerate their success with professional advice from local business mentors, plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local paper.

One lucky business picked from hundreds of regional winners will get a year of individual mentoring from Deborah Meaden, the Dragons’ Den judge and national ambassador of the initiative, called Local Business Accelerators (LBA).

Nearly 500 local press publications, including The Press, are joining forces to offer £15 million of free advertising to promote the strength and value of local newspapers for local businesses and communities through LBA, which is spearheaded by the Newspaper Society.

Deborah Meaden said she had seen the unique contribution that local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with her own ventures.

She said: “In this age of enterprise it has never been more important to drive awareness about the value of local marketing for a fledgling business, which is why I’m so proud to support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has also supported the campaign, saying local and regional newspapers have a major role to play in championing growth. He said: “The Local Business Accelerators campaign will help provide the boost that our smaller British businesses need right now. By joining forces to launch this excellent initiative, local newspapers are demonstrating their commitment and providing exactly the sort of practical, hands-on support that will help young local businesses succeed and grow.

“Those that will benefit from the initiative are the very businesses and entrepreneurs that will help to lead Britain’s recovery.”

Geraldine Allinson, president of the Newspaper Society, said: “The UK needs to grow local businesses like never before, and local businesses need local press.

“No other medium has the power, local knowledge and influence to activate a scheme like Local Business Accelerators. It’s where local newspapers have always made a real difference: by helping to build strong local businesses and encourage thriving communities.”

How to enter

• The competition is open to all businesses that are active in the local community, between one and three years old and full of potential. They may have a great idea or product, or even have found a new market. They’re the kind of businesses that will create new jobs and individually they will create pride in the community.

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, and want the chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in The Press, visit accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter. Entries close on November 14, 2011.

Meet the judges who’ll advise the winning businesses

The mentors who will be providing advice to the winning businesses; from left, Stephen Kennedy, chief operating officer of CPP, Katie Stewart, City of York Council’s head of economic development and Dr Paul Gibson, chief executive of PureNet

THE PRESS has recruited three mentors from the local business community to provide advice to the winning businesses.

They are Stephen Kennedy, the straight-talking chief operating officer of CPP, one of York’s largest private employers; Dr Paul Gibson, chief executive of e-commerce business PureNet; and Katie Stewart, who has recently been appointed as head of economic development at City of York Council, after working with Leeds City Region and doing economic development work in Tampa, Florida.

They will join The Press’s business editor, Julie Hayes, in reviewing and shortlisting entries before awarding three local businesses with free advertising and business advice.

They’ll also be looking out for one outstanding business to be in with a chance of a year’s mentoring from Deborah Meaden in 2012.

Dr Gibson has worked for big corporates and small businesses, including Nestlé and Siemens, before buying and selling a coffee and bookshop in Kirkbymoorside.

He launched PureNet about five years ago, which he has grown to a £1 million-turnover business, employing about 25 people.

He said he was supporting the initiative because new and early start-ups really needed help and guidance through the early stages.

He said: “It is good to be involved in a positive initiative that will have a direct impact on the businesses that get involved.

“If the people put their passion into excellent service and look after their cash, they’re 50 per cent of the way there towards creating a successful business. The rest is a mixture of marketing, strategy, the right team and a knack for sales. Simple, but it can go wrong if you don’t control the mix during the early years of a business and that is where experience can certainly help.”

Mr Kennedy said: “Business owners are typically experts in their field, but they can’t be expected to be an expert in everything.

“Marketing is a major part of turning a bright idea into a successful business and I’m looking forward to giving what advice I can to help secure the future of some of these businesses.”

Mrs Stewart said she was keen to be involved because of the “absolutely critical” importance of enterprise for the economic future of York as a globally competitive city.

“A key part of my job, and indeed my passion, at the council is to work with individuals and organisations across the city to help York realise its full potential as a city of opportunity for individuals either looking to start a business, or for entrepreneurs to grow their existing business.

“An initiative like this not only provides deserving young businesses some well-earned support, but also showcases the value of entrepreneurship and innovation to the wider city.”