THINK local is the message from a veteran of Oxfordshire high streets, who says new businesses need to explore all ways of getting their message across during the economic downturn.

Mark Felton, who runs two Homegoods electrical appliance shops in Bicester and Kidlington, said retailers were facing tough times.

But added: “You have to keep advertising, just to keep your name up there. It’s about presence – trying to remind people that you are there.”

He was responding to a £15m campaign by the Newspaper Society to boost business awareness of the power of local media, with a competition offering three months of free advertising to the county’s most promising new businesses.

The campaign is backed by Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron, who described it as a “brilliant, practical idea” to promote Britain’s economic revival. Mr Cameron said: “We need to have the reindustrialisation of Britain; we need the growth of manufacturing and technology, of tradeable goods.”

Mr Felton, who set up Homegoods in 1996 after several years in the industry, said more of his business now came via the internet, but his presence on local high streets was still vital to the success of his company.

He advised new businesses to use all media, including newspapers, radio and the internet.

“The reason for the local advertising is to bring people into your local store. In a nutshell, the local newspaper is used to attract local people.”

The Local Business Accelerators campaign is spearheaded by Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, who will be mentoring one of the winning businesses.

The competition is open to all businesses active in Oxfordshire that are between one and three years old.

* What we're after

WE are on the look-out for businesses with the most potential which are likely to have a big impact in the community, for example through local job creation.

The judges will be Mike Jennings, who runs the Jennings business parks across the county, Brendon Cross, managing director of Witney-based STL Communications, and Bob Urwin, of Oxford letting agents Martin & Co.

They will work alongside Newsquest Oxfordshire’s business editor Andrew Smith to review and shortlist entries before awarding the winners the prize of free advertising and business advice.

One overall star business will also be put forward to be in with a chance to gain BBC Dragon Deborah Meaden as a mentor during 2012.

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, and want the chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in Newsquest Oxfordshire’s titles visit accelerateme.co.uk for more information and how to enter. Entries for the Local Business Accelerator Campaign close on November 14.

If you want to speak to us about advertising in any Newsquest Oxfordshire publication, please contact Julian Richings on 01865 425275.