Welcome to Local Business Accelerators

Welcome to Local Business Accelerators - an initiative by the regional press industry to boost local businesses, fronted by the Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden and supported by the Business in You.

For a chance to win the campaign prize of free local newspaper advertising and mentoring from local business leaders and a host of other prizes, simply click on the APPLY button in the sidebar and fill out the short application form. Entries opened on 3 October 2012.

Don't forget to follow LBA on Twitter for the latest news and updates @acceleratelocal.

Deborah Meaden - National Ambassador for LBA

Prime Minister David Cameron

Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP

  • 32.9 million people read a local newspaper every week, making it the most widely read print medium in Britain. (BMRB/TGI 2011)
  • 71% of adults read a local newspaper. (BMRB/TGI 2011)
  • Over 60% of people act on the ads in local newspapers. (Crowd DNA/Loving Local 2011)
  • Local press is the most effective media channel for generating word of mouth conversations. (IPA Touchpoints 3 2010)