Local and regional newspapers throughout the country have delivered a huge boost to the UK commercial property business by pledging an extraordinary £15m of free advertising to the most dynamic fledging enterprises.
The bold initiative, backed by Deborah Meaden, one of the judges from the hit BBC TV show, ‘Dragons Den’ is called Local Business Accelerators (LBA) and is being spearheaded by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society.
Local Business Accelerators is a pioneering national initiative that harnesses the power of local newspapers to give a much needed boost to local economies.
Almost 500 local Press publications are joining together to promote the strength and significance of local newspapers for local commercial property businesses and communities.
Collectively, the local Press industry will search for the nation’s most talented young commercial property businesses and help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors-plus a considerable allocation of free advertising space in their local publication.
And it doesn’t end there, additionally one lucky commercial property business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will receive individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Deborah Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the commercial property business for one year.
Dragons Den judge Deborah Meaden commented: “I’ve seen the unique contribution that 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 support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.”
This week, regional and local newspapers launch their Local Business Accelerators search. It’s open to all commercial property 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 found a new market. They’re the kind of commercial property businesses that will create new jobs and individually they will create pride in the community.
David Cameron has also lent his support to the Local Business Accelerators campaign. Speaking about the campaign, the Prime Minister said: “In towns and cities across the country, local and regional newspapers are helping to build stronger local communities and contributing to growth by supporting local businesses. They have a major role to play in championing growth.
“I want this to be the most pro-growth Government in living memory. We are cutting red tape, cutting corporation tax, boosting tax relief for investors in start ups and entrepreneurs, getting the banks to increase lending to small firms and supporting the banks’ £2.5 billion Business Growth Fund to back established and growing businesses.
He further added: “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. I want to thank all those involved for taking part in Local Business Accelerators and to wish you every success with this important campaign.”
Members of the local business community and individual regional and local newspaper representatives in your region will form the judging panel and review and shortlist entries before awarding three lucky local businesses with the prize of free advertising and business advice. They’ll also be looking out for that one overall star business to put forward to be in with a chance to gain Deborah Meaden as a mentor during 2012.
Every day local newspapers are helping to create business in their communities. 32.9 million people up and down the country read a local newspaper every week, making it the most widely read print medium in Britain (BMRB/TGI 2011).
What’s more, 60% of readers act on the advertising n their local newspapers (Crowd DNA/Loving Local 2011).
President of the Newspaper Society, Geraldine Allinson, added: “The UK needs to grow local businesses like never before, and local businesses need the 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.”
The Newspaper Society has the influence over Britain’s local media sector, on providing local news and information across its 1,200 daily and weekly, paid-for and free regional and local newspaper titles, 1,600 companion websites and other print, digital and broadcast channels.
