A family run spicy chilli sauce business missed out on top spot as Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden announced the overall winner of the Local Business Accelerators competition today.
The business guru, who is currently competing on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, took time out of her hectic training schedule to attend an awards ceremony at the Millbank Tower, London.
Kuldip Singh, 31, from Manor Park, entered Mr Singh’s Sauce in the local press campaign, which is run buy the Newspaper Society, through the Newham Recorder and was among 15 finalists shortlisted from a record 2,000 entries.
York Cocoa House were judged overall winners and will now benefit from a years mentoring support from Deborah Meaden, the campaign’s ambassador and star of the hit TV show, alongside £10,000 from the Business Growth Fund, an advertising campaign from a top London-based agency and other prizes.
Deborah Meaden, who led the judging panel, said: “I am thrilled to be involved in the campaign. Once again hundreds of fledgling businesses have witnessed first-hand the benefits of local advertising thanks to the Local Business Accelerators.”
She told guests how impressed she had been with the level of finalists and how important mentoring was to give support and advice to entrepreneurs.
As part of the initiative businesses entered through papers across the country and Mr Singh’s Sauce were among scores which took part in a local Dragons’ Den-style judging competition held at our office in Ilford. They were judged local winners and paired with mentor Lance Forman, of the famous H Forman & Son salmon smoking business.
Hardev Singh, 59, whose unique recipes make up the sauces and cooking pastes, first started production in a a garden shed before his son Kuldip was charged with turning it into a profitable business. They were the only entry in London to reach the grand final alongside finalists from Scotland and Wales.
CEO Kuldip Singh said: “We may not have won overall but we are delighted to get so far and against some strong entries. The pairing with Lance as our mentor has helped our business grow and opened up new opportunities we could ony have dreamed of.”
He added: “As a direct result of LBA, the company has secured a contract with the Fairway Market in New York making it one of the first British made chilli sauces to be sold in the USA.”
The Local Business Accelerators, supported by much of the local press industry, aims to highlight the ability of local newspapers to accelerate small businesses through advertising.
Adrian Jeakings, Archant Chief Executive, publisher of the Newham Recorder, spoke at the event as president of the Newspaper Society.
Do you have a business news story? Email michael.adkins@archant.co.uk
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