Business Secretary: Local Papers ‘Vital’ to Success of Local Business

Business Secretary Greg Clark has said that local newspapers “make a vital contribution” to the success of local businesses.

Mr Clark was responding to a Parliamentary question from Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, Labour, about the Wolverhampton Express and Star’s Green Shoots scheme which has successfully distributed £4 million of regional growth fund money in support of 65 businesses.

Mr Clark responded: “Local newspapers make a vital contribution to the success of local business, and I am delighted to hear about the initiative that the Express and Star is promoting.”

Mr Austin had asked: “Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating the greatest evening newspaper in the country, the Express and Star, and the brilliant work of Wolverhampton University, which have launched the green shoots scheme?

“The scheme has now successfully distributed £4 million of regional growth fund money, supporting 65 businesses, creating or protecting 600 jobs and, extraordinarily, generating over 11 million in private sector investment to support businesses in places such as Dudley.”

The power of local newspapers to boost businesses was highlighted by Local Media Works’ Local Business Accelerators campaign fronted by the Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden and saw hundreds of local businesses accelerated by free local newspaper advertising and mentoring.