We can help your firm realise its full potential (From Evesham Journal)

We can help your firm realise its full potential

1:00pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Mike Pryce

CALLING all emerging businesses in Worcestershire. Last year’s Worcester News-backed Local Business Accelerators campaign proved so successful, we are running it again.

We are joining forces with other regional and local newspapers in Britain in a project that aims to deliver a huge shot in the arm to local business by pledging an unprecedented £15 million of free advertising to the most dynamic fledgling enterprises.

The LBA initiative, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron; Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, and Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden, is being spearheaded by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society. About 500 regional newspapers, including the Worcester News, are joining forces to promote the strength and value of local papers for local businesses and communities.

Worcester News editor Pet-er John said: “The LBA campaign worked so well last year and attracted so much interest, we are doing it again. “We need to grow local businesses like never before and local businesses need their local press. “No other medium has the power, local knowledge and influence to activate a scheme such as Local Bus-iness Accelerators. “It’s where local newspapers such as the Worcester News have always made a real difference – by helping to build strong local businesses and encouraging thriving communities.”

The winners of our first competition were the Holy-well Water Co, of Holywell Road, Malvern Wells; M30H Services, of the Deer Park, Eckington, near Pershore, and CM Eng-ineering, of Bosbury Road, Malvern.

Once again the LBA programme is being supported by Herefordshire and Wor-cestershire Chamber of Commerce as it searches for the area’s most promising young businesses and helps them accelerate their success with top professional advice.

Following the closure for entries on November 16, a prestigious panel of judges will review and shortlist entries before awarding three lucky local businesses the prize of free advertising and business advice. The chosen businesses will receive a substantial allocation of free advertising space within the Worcester News pages. What’s more, one lucky business chosen from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Ms Meaden, who will become the firm’s consultant and mentor for a year.

The Local Business Acc-elerators’ search is open to all businesses that are active in their 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 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 Worcester News, visit accelerateme.co.uk for more information about the scheme and how to enter.

Specialist mentors will also be looking for one overall star business to put forward to be in with a chance to gain Ms Meaden as a mentor during 2013. Ms Meaden said: “I’ve seen the unique contribution that the local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with my own ventures. “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 once again support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.”

Mr King said: “In all parts of the country, I am im-pressed by the companies that I visit. “Exciting innovation and imaginative entrepreneurship are plain to see in many companies. “That deserves recognition and support. “The Local Business Acc-elerators scheme is an excellent initiative that supports local businesses and communities. “And it does so through local newspapers, which play a key role in communicating with the public about the economy and business.”

Lynne Anderson, News-paper Society communications and marketing director, said: “Local Business Accelerators helped to drive the success of hundreds of fledgling businesses in its first year, demonstrating the scale and collective power of the local press to build strong local businesses. “It has captured the imagination of politicians, national advertisers and the business community and promises to be even more successful in its second year.”