Final call for recession-fighting hotspots to stake their claim as champions of enterprise

LOCATIONS which are tackling the economic downturn head on by creating jobs, boosting local businesses and nurturing budding entrepreneurial talent have just three weeks left to get in the running to be crowned the UK's most enterprising place. Business Minister, Lord Mandelson, is calling for hotspots of innovation - places where a culture of enterprise is supporting and encouraging entrepreneurs and businesses, helping them to survive the downturn and emerge stronger on the other side; to enter the Enterprising Britain 2009 competition and have their efforts recognised on a national scale.

The Enterprising Britain competition, a key part of the Government's drive to create the right conditions for enterprise across the UK, seeks out areas of enterprise excellence, such as villages, towns, cities and neighbourhoods, with transformational success stories which deserve to be rewarded and shared.

Launching the competition, Secretary of State for Business, Lord Mandelson, said:- "Enterprise is a long-term investment for the future and crucial for success in the current economic climate. In a downturn, it is more important than ever that entrepreneurs are supported and have the confidence they need to develop their ideas. Enterprising Britain allows communities to share their experiences of innovation, inspire others and drive forward enterprise."

The winner of last year's hotly contested Enterprising Britain competition was Scarborough, where embedding a culture of enterprise resulted in the transformation of what was a seaside town in decline into a shining example of enterprise achievement. Seasonal unemployment has been stamped out, new industry sectors created and more than £200m of private sector investment attracted. This year, Enterprising Britain is encouraging business-led projects, along with those led by public and voluntary sector groups, which have transformed their local communities to enter the awards and gain recognition for their fantastic work.

Carl Hopkins, entrepreneur and star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, visited Scarborough for the competition's launch. He said:- "Now more than ever, we need to tap into examples of what is working in places across the country in terms of supporting, encouraging and maintaining enterprise. Entering the Enterprising Britain competition is your chance to shout about what you've achieved and to ensure that other small and medium sized businesses, communities and enterprise projects can learn from your successes. The competition helps highlight and spread best practice in enterprise across the UK and I would encourage all the innovative projects out there that have harnessed entrepreneurial spirit to make Britain a better place to live and work, to enter and have a chance at being crowing the UK's enterprise champion."

Enterprising Britain is free to enter and is open to all places in the UK that can demonstrate the impact enterprise has had on their community over the past two years. To register interest email your contact.

Entries must be submitted by 30 April 2009 and the winner will be announced in October. The competition is run by Make Your Mark, on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), working in close partnership with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Application forms are also available from RDAs and Devolved Administrations or can be downloaded from:- makeyourmark.org.uk/enterprisingbritain.

Scrap Car Scheme For The UK?

THE media is reporting that the UK is moving towards a voluntary car scrap scheme. On paper this sounds like a good idea, but in reality it will see an even higher cost to low income families according to some critics. They have pointed out that the probably payment of £2,000 to trade in cars over a certain age, is just to help to stimulate the new car industry. The government has argued that, not only will it boost new car sales, but also that the environment benefits will be massive, by replacing old, more polluting vehicles with cleaner, more efficient ones. Many feel that we could expect to see a drop in old cars on the roads. Yet, with the economic problems resulting from the banks reluctances to issue loans, we might in fact see a drop in new cars on the road as well. The result could also see a large reduction in the availability of older, cheaper cars for low-income families. Good news for the environment you might think, but government's environmental credentials are not universally accepted. Many environmentalists echo the Green Party's Peter Cranie, who has told the media:- "This scheme won't create jobs and it won't help the environment. All that you're going to get is a switch to more polluting, bigger vehicles. And that's not going to help anyone." A similar scheme in Germany has seen a large rise in demand for new cars. Adding weight to the Government's idea would be that both France and Italy have introduced car scrap schemes to boost their beleaguered car industries, but many have also pointed out that we lost our last, British owned, mass manufacturer, Rover, a few years ago. This has lead many to worry that we do not have any control over the development of the technology for more fuel-efficient vehicles but that we are now helping to fund, through loans to major automotive companies. On paper, whilst it may sound good, we now have no control over this technology, in which we have invested and importantly, no way to stop plants closing and moving production abroad... Is this a wise move?  What do you think about this?  Email us now to news24@southportreporter.com.

REMINDER - UBER CHIC presents MISS ROCKIN ASIA 2009 CONTEST

GIRLS take note as time is running out! This is your last chance to become crowned Miss Rockin Asia 2009 and get lots of fantastic prizes. The contest is open to any females within the UK, of any race. Prizes for this year’s competition are amazing!!! This is an outline of what the winner will receive... £500 cash prize, a night in the Vincent hotel with spa, and also a photo shoot with a top fashion photographer Matt Ford also you will get to feature in Liverpool's newest fashion magazine FAB and lots more! So what are you waiting for ladies? To enter see DJ PHLEX (Thursday night @ Rockin Asia) or Tom Wheeler (manager) or fill out the details on the back of the Miss Rockin Asia contest flyer and return it to the bar.  The contest will consist of the following categories:-  1. Introduction; 2. High Street Fashion; 3. Hollywood Glammour Wear; 4. Swimwear / Beachwear; 5. Evening Wear.

Requirements:- Girls must be over 18; Sorry Gents, this isn't open to you!!