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.