Last chance for young firms in Worthing, Shoreham and Littlehampton to put themselves forward to win thousands in free advertising

The national £15m initiative, which is open to businesses aged between 1-3 years, will see one enterprise from our readership selected to received three months’ free advertising and mentoring from experienced West Sussex Entrepreneurs.

But companies only have until Monday, November 14, in which to apply via the Newspaper Society website at the following link (www.accelerateme.co.uk), so make sure you don’t miss your chance.

Among the mentors are Secret Millionaire star Gill Fielding, who said she was delighted to be assisting the selected firm (chosen by the local mentors) to offer a range of invaluable tips and advice.

As patron of the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce, she is well used to encouraging emerging businesses from a wide range of backgrounds.

She is joined by Adur and Worthing Business Award winner James Stoner of JSPC IT services and Spofforths Partner Chay Took, whose considerable accounting experience would prove invaluable in terms of pointing the winner in the right financial direction.

The selected company from our area will then be placed into a national draw for the chance to win additional mentoring from Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden.

The director general of the CBI, John Cridland, is the latest high-profile figure to lend his backing to the Local Business Accelerators campaign.

He said: “The Local Business Accelerators campaign is an innovative scheme to help promote much-needed growth in our 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.”

The scheme, co-ordinated by the Newspaper Society, attracted 1,000 entries in the first week across the country, with responses coming steadily through in our area.

Deborah Meaden said: “Local Business Accelerators is the perfect opportunity to drive your business to success. With less than two weeks before entries close I’m calling on businesses in the Herald and Gazette area to get involved.

“I’ve got a simple message for businesses in this area – don’t miss this great opportunity! Free advertising the Herald and Gazette series and invaluable mentoring advice to kick start your business is not to be thrown away.

“So if you’re a business that’s between one and three years old, with a great idea that wants to succeed, enter to be in with a chance of building a better future for both your business and the local community.”

– Visit www.accelerateme.co.uk to put your company forward.