David Cameron commends Local Business Accelerators
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The Prime
Minister has highlighted the role of local newspapers in supporting
British business on the day winners of a nationwide contest were
announced.
David Cameron today congratulated the winning enterprises in the
Local Business Accelerators run by the Newspaper Society and
strongly backed by the KM Group.
Four Kent winners chosen from more than 60 applicants - and
3,100 nationwide - will receive a substantial allocation of free
advertising in their local newspaper and mentoring from local
business leaders.
Mr Cameron said: “Congratulations to all the winners
of the Local Business Accelerators scheme. It’s brilliant that so
many promising young companies, from such a wide range
of sectors, are benefitting from this excellent
initiative.
“Entrepreneurship, creativity and ambition are essential for our
economic recovery and through Local Business Accelerators,
newspapers such as the the KM Group's titles 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.”
The Kent winners are: Animate and Create, Whitstable (animation
studios), Ebox Media, Cranbrook (house sign design), NBC Bird and
Pest Solutions, Sheppey, and Treasured Friends, Ramsgate (a pet
funeral service).
Judging took place at the KM Group head office in Larkfield on
Monday.
The judges were Tim Levey and Jennifer Williamson, of Reeves
accountants, Richard Elliot, KM Group managing director, and Trevor
Sturgess, KM Group business editor. Finalists presented their
business in a Dragons’ Den format.
The judges praised all the finalists for the quality of their
presentations.
Later in the year, one business will go on to be crowned the
overall LBA winner and receive mentoring from the campaign’s
national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragons’ Den.
The campaign has seen the local newspaper industry come together
to deliver a shot in the arm for British business.
Stephen Welton, chief excutive of the Business Growth Fund,
which is to host workshops for the winners, said the initiative was
providing a “powerful boost” to young businesses in challenging
economic conditions.
“When growth is harder to achieve, history tells us that the
most successful companies are not those with defensive strategies,”
he said.
- The 13 finalists were: Calibre Cleaning, Ashford;
Halagen, Barham; Animate & Create, Whitstable; Creative Minds
Agency, Dartford; Billies Boutique, Gravesend; icom telesupport,
Maidstone; Ebox Media, Cranbrook; The Cupcake Café, Margate; Think
Furniture, Margate; Tradeshop, Birchington; Treasured Friends,
Ramsgate; The Hub Cycle and Coffee Shop, Sandgate; NBC Bird and
Pest Solutions, Sheppey.
The winners in
Kent
KENT WINNER
Animate and Create Studios, Whitstable
Animation is at the heart of this expanding business
that owes some of its inspiration to Wallace and Gromit.
Creative director Dan Richards is a graduate of the School of
Animation set up by Aardman Animations, creators of W&G. He
chose to use his talents in Kent, the creative home of Bagpuss and
The Clangers where animation was “unexplored and
underused.”
The business runs the Anifest animation festival in Canterbury,
produces stop-motion films (the technique used in W&G) for
various organisations, and hosts workshops for young
people.
His aim is to develop the business into “An Aardman of the
south east.”
Ebox Media, Cranbrook
If you would like a house sign that you can
help design, Ebox Media is the place to go.
Dan Clay, a former bar and restaurant manager, has created a
business with worldwide potential.
His website designahousesign.com offers a combination of
materials and designs that appeal to a wide range of householders,
with a price tag of just £19.99.
They can order online or, soon, through an activation card
bought from retailers. The signs are made in a Kent workshop.
Treasured Friends, Ramsgate
Carl Bolton was disturbed by the way the
bodies of much-loved pets were disposed of after they had been put
to sleep. Owners often have to wait a long time for the ashes and
can never be sure that the ashes are those of their beloved
animal.
He thought it was time to provide a dignified, personal
cremation and burial service. He invested £45,000 in a private
crematorium and the service is now available throughout Kent. He
can even provide a black “pet hearse.”
A room of rest is provided at the crematorium where grieving
owners can bid farewell to their dead animal. The service is not
only for cats and dogs. Mr Bolton has also dealt with snakes and
lizards.
He has agreements with a number of vets across the county and is
hoping to sign up more to alert potential clients to his service at
such a hearttbreaking time.
NBC pest solutions
Entrepreneur Dave Green and his harris hawk
Eva are familiar sights around Kent.
Eva’s job is to drive away pigeons, a key role for Mr Green’s
NBC Bird and Pest Solutions, based at Halfway on the Isle of
Sheppey.
Mr Green is an accomplished handler and breeder of birds of
prey. The 2011 Swale Business of the Year has prospered thanks to
Mr Green’s drive and ambition.
The company operates in estates, parks, golf clubs, farms,
stables and other areas affected by moles, rabbits and other
creatures that cause serious damage.
His blue chip clients include Kent County Council, National
Grid, Peel Ports, Asda and Eurotunnel.
The franchised business is the top performer in the NBC
operation.
“I am the most ambitous person you will ever meet and work 15-16
hours most days,” says Mr Green.
Tuesday, January 10 2012
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