David Cameron has praised local newspapers for helping support new British businesses through the Newspaper Society’s £15m Local Business Accelerators scheme.
Launched by the Newspaper Society in 2011 to promote the ‘strength and value of local press advertising for business success”, the Local Business Accelerators initiative saw 500 advertisements placed in regional and local newspapers to find the most promising young British businesses.
Around 1,500 winning organisations will now receive free advertising in their local newspaper and mentoring from business leaders.
“It’s brilliant that so many promising young companies, from such a wide range of sectors, are benefitting from this excellent initiative,” said Cameron.
“Entrepreneurship, creativity and ambition are essential for our economic recovery and through Local Business Accelerators, local newspapers are supporting some great new British businesses to grow, and helping to boost their local economy.
“I wish the newspapers, businesses and their mentors every success over the coming months.”
Among the winners were a company that helps children learn foreign languages, selected by the Newcastle Journal, and an entrepreneur who plans to start an organic nursery chain chosen by The York Press.
A pet funeral service and animation studio were among the Kent Messenger’s winners, while the Liverpool Echo chose an online provider of spectacles, a solar panel installer and a well-being studio.
Later this year one business will be crowned the overall Local Business Accelerator winner and receive mentoring from the scheme’s ambassador, Deborah Meaden of Dragon’s Den.
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