Does your small business have the X factor?

Jun 30 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

NEWCASTLE has been named as a small business hotspot where small enterprises are thriving.

It is one of 10 places including Ipswich, Peterborough and Tonbridge which were recognised as producing a higher number of small firms per head of population than larger cities such as Manchester and Birmingham.

The research was carried out by mobile phone company O2 to coincide with the launch of its X Awards, which are searching for the UK’s most creative and successful small firms.

Businesses can either nominate themselves or be suggested by others for the awards, which are now in their fifth year and are offering a top prize of £10,000 for the overall Entrepreneur of the Year.

Divided into four categories – fashion, technology and innovation, food and drink, and music – the awards are open to enterprises employing up to 50 people. Entrants will initially be judged on a regional basis with the finalists progressing to the national final in October.

The entry form can be accessed online at http://www.o2blueroom.co.uk/Business/XAwards/ and the closing date is Monday, September 1.