WIREDGOV

If you live in an area with a thriving business community looking to grow and become a real force both here and abroad, then you could be living in the most enterprising place in the UK.

Communities are being encouraged to come forward and take part in a nationwide competition that will see a town, city or area crowned as the country’s most enterprising place.

The winner will be the location that can show itself as a hotspot of innovation and somewhere that is boosting local business and nurturing budding entrepreneurial talent.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“There are some fantastic enterprises across the UK that are starting up and growing to become real forces in business. Despite the difficult economic conditions, there are many entrepreneurs willing and able to make their business a success, helping to boost the economic growth of their local area and the UK.

“We want to make 2012 the year of enterprise. This is a great opportunity for local authorities and businesses to come together and show that they are creating a vibrant environment to allow enterprise to thrive.”

There are three categories in this year’s awards:

· The most enterprising place in the UK.

· The organisation that best promotes enterprise.

· The organisation most successful in encouraging businesses to export.

Two of the three winners will go on to represent the UK at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards in Nicosia, Cyprus on 15 November 2012, during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Previous UK winner, Scarborough, went on to win the European Grand Jury Prize in 2009.

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 in the past two years. To register interest email your contact details to enterprisingbritain@bis.gsi.gov.uk. Entries must be submitted by 30 May 2012 and the winners of each category will be announced on 16 July 2012.

Note to editors:
1. This year the Government is running the Business in You campaign to encourage more people to start or grow their business throughout 2012 using a range of existing support services. More information is available at businessinyou.bis.gov.uk.

2. Enterprising Britain 2012 is being run by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. An independent judging panel has been appointed to select the winners of each category.

3. For more information about the awards and how to enter, visit http://www.bis.gov.uk/enterprising-britain

4. The European Jury will award it’s Grand Jury Prize to the entry that is considered the most creative and inspiring initiative promoting entrepreneurship.

5. For more information on the European Enterprise Awards visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/best-practices/european-enterprise-awards/index_en.htm.

6. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
bispress.releases@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Dan Palmer
Phone: 020 7215 5303
dan.palmer@bis.gsi.gov.uk