Support grows for Business Accelerator campaign

The initiative, coordinated by the Newspaper Society and supported by almost 500 local press publications, including the Larne, Carrick and Newtownabbey Times, attracted 1,000 entries in the first week, with hundreds more being submitted each day to local newspapers by businesses across the UK.

Businesses to have applied already include a teddy bear making company and a football school for youngsters, as well as many other companies in sectors such as catering, retail, technology, education, sports, creative industries and manufacturing.

Announcing his support, Mr Cridland described the campaign as an innovative scheme designed to help promote much-needed growth within local communities.

“Small and medium sized businesses across the country have the potential to grow and create many new jobs and by joining forces in this way local newspapers can help provide valuable practical support,” he said.

Mr Cridland joins high profile figures including Prime Minister David Cameron, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Professor David Miles of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, who have all voiced their support for the campaign.

To be in with a chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in the Larne, Carrick and Newtownabbey Times, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter. Entries close on Monday, November 14, 2011.

Successful applicants will be rewarded with top professional advice from local business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication.

They are also in with a chance of winning a year’s mentoring with Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden – the campaign’s national ambassador.