Deadline extended for business scheme

The deadline for the Tomorrow’s Business Builder Awards has been pushed back as organisers continue to scour far and wide for the most deserving cases.

The awards - supported by Amber Rudd MP, Tomorrow’s People and the Observer among others – are offering two £5,000 grants, one for a woman aged 24 or over and the other for a young person aged 16-24 who want to set up a new business in Hastings and St Leonards. Initial applications will be whittled down to a shortlist who will get expert advice to develop their proposals before final decisions are made next year.

And although the response so far has been good, the deadline for applications has been extended to encourage even more people to submit their ideas for this life-changing award.

Ms Rudd said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for two people from Hastings to get £5,000 each to help set up their own business. What is great about this competition is that all applicants will be guided through the whole process by specialist business development support staff at Ten Sixty Six Enterprise. This means that you don’t need experience of running a business or know how to write a business plan, you just need the idea for a business and mentors will help you through.

“I urge anyone with the germ of an idea to have a go, they could be the next Richard Branson,” she added.

Forms are available from Amber Rudd’s office in the Creative Media Centre, the Tomorrow’s People office in Cambridge Road and Ten Sixty Six Enterprise in the Summerfields Business Centre, Bohemia Road.

They can also be downloaded from the Observer website – visit www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/business-news/business-builder-award for more information.

Anyone having difficulty getting a form can call Sharon Fitzhugh at Ten Sixty Six Enterprise on 01424 205508.