East Lancashire businesses named for the Local Business Accelerators scheme (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire businesses named for the Local Business Accelerators scheme

4:01pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in News By Jonathon Dillon, Assistant news editor

East Lancashire businesses named for the Local Business Accelerators scheme

Manufacturing, fashion and dining are three areas covered by fledgling East Lancashire businesses shortlisted in a campaign to find and help the country’s best enterprises.

Today we name five firms competing to win free advertising and mentoring under the Local Business Accelerators scheme – an initiative spearheaded nationally by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society.

My Vintage is a venture selling vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories online from a base in Gillibrand Mill, Percival Street, Darwen.

Customers include celebrities like Lauren Laverne, Arlene Phillips, Lisa Faulkner and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

The second finalist Sci-Tie is run by Simon Moore of St Martin’s Drive, Blackburn who has patented a biodegradable cable tie which can be used in a wide variety of industries.

An oil pipeline company has expressed interest in the product which comes in a roll so you only need to cut off what you need.

Beauty in the Universe of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, is an ethical business which has been staging free adult-learning courses in astronomy and physics in Darwen thanks to an award from the Learning Skills Fund.

Also in Darwen at the town’s Academy is 118 Direct, an enterprise run by Alison Hitchen which offers advertising solutions to businesses.

The fifth finalist is North’n Exposure of Fulwood, Preston, a firm set up to produce a Food, Drink and What’s On guide.

Next month all five businesses will be invited to sell themselves to a panel including Mike Damms, chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Aileen Evans, executive director of Hyndburn Enterprise Trust and the Lancashire Telegraph’s head of advertising Andy Phelan.

They will pick two winners which will receive free advertising in the Lancashire Telegraph and expert advice.

One of those two will also go forward to compete in the national final of the LBA scheme and the chance to win a year's mentoring from Dragon’s Den judge Deborah Meaden and an ad campaign devised by a top London ad agency.