CN Group has launched our Business Boost campaign to help small and fledgling businesses grow.

We have joined forces with the chartered accountant Lamont Pridmore to offer free advertising, mentoring and support to enterprises that show growth potential.

Applications are invited in two categories. One for new businesses – up to five years old – and one for established businesses of any age with fewer than 250 employees.

This is the fourth year that CN Group, publisher of the Times & Star and Whitehaven News, has run the scheme. Our sister newspapers in Carlisle and Barrow are also taking part.

Six businesses will win £10,000 to spend on advertising in our newspapers and websites – one winner from each category for west, north and south Cumbria. The aim is to help businesses reach new markets and so boost sales and profits.

Lamont Pridmore is offering finalists a copy of its book, 57 Ways to Grow Your Business, the help sheet What Makes a Successful Business and the booklet Competitiveness – How the Best UK Companies are Winning.

It will also offer an additional special sponsors’ prize of free consultancy support to a business that it feels will benefit particularly.


Chief executive Graham Lamont said: “We offer a range of products and services designed to meet our clients’ needs and help their businesses grow.

“We look forward to meeting and mentoring some of the business leaders of tomorrow through Business Boost 2017.”

Entrants should outline how their businesses will grow and how they might use a £10,000 ad campaign.

The closing date is March 31. Judging takes place early in April – details of the panel will be announced shortly – when shortlisted finalists will make a Dragons’ Den-style pitch. Winners will be announced at the end of April.

Apply online here