Local businesses to receive a £15m injection as 500 newspapers offer free advertising to UK's most promising businesses

Regional and local newspapers across the country have today delivered a huge boost to UK business by pledging an unprecedented £15m of free advertising to the most dynamic fledgling enterprises.

The bold initiative, backed by Dragons’ Den judge, Deborah Meaden, is called Local Business Accelerators and is being spearheaded by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society.  Nearly 500 local press publications are joining forces to promote the strength and value of local newspapers for local businesses and communities.

Together, the local press industry will search for the nation’s most promising young businesses and help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication. What’s more, one lucky business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Deborah Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

Deborah Meaden comments, “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.”

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 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 your local title, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter.  Entries close 14 November 2011.

Members of the local business community alongside each title's business team will form the judging panel who will 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.

For further information please visit:  http://www.newspapersoc.org.uk/19/oct/11/local-businesses-to-receive-15m-injection