Not Naked Wins West Norfolk Version Of Dragons Den!

THE dragons have finally spoken and here are the winners of the Local Business Accelerators competition.

The new year is getting off to a flying start for Electra-mek, Igloo Shoes and notnaked.co.uk which have won the top business prize of three months free advertising and mentoring from the West Norfolk version of Dragons Den.

The judges had spent hours deliberating and sifting through all the entries of fledgling businesses.

The panel included Anglia Newspapers publishing director David Dixon, West Norfolk Chamber of Commerce president Heather Garrod, Lloyds TSB commercial senior manager Carl Woodwards, and Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services business adviser Paul Gardner.

Two people who are over the moon are Simon and Michelle Pickett, who run underwear company notnaked.co.uk from Lynn Road, Heacham.

Simon and Michelle, who started the business 18 months ago, decided to set up the site selling high street bras and pants at discount prices.

Delighted Simon said it was fantastic to be one of the winners.

He said: “We always had a feeling that 2012 was going to be a good year.

“It is a huge amount of advertising and I don’t think we could put a price on being mentored for the next three months. It is going to help us expand the business.”

Owner of Igloo Shoes Charlotte Hamilton also feels that the mentors and advertising will be a big boost to her business.

Accountant Mrs Hamilton and her team of four staff sell children’s shoes and some adult ranges from the shop in Tower Street.

Things have gone so well since launching the business two years ago that Mrs Hamilton is hoping to open up a second shop in the East Anglia.

She said of the win: “It is just the news we wanted to start the new year with.

“It gives us a launch pad to take the business to the next level by having the mentors on board to give us focus and assistance.”

Renewable energy company Electra-mek, based in Sovereign Way, Downham, is also thrilled to have won.

Owner Jim Stratford moved into renewable energy 18 months ago and employs five people.

Mr Stratford, who has 25 years of engineering experience, moved away from electrical contracting, as solar power offered opportunities to tax his technical mind.

Office manager at the firm Lisa Rich said: “We are delighted to be one of the winners.”

By: Martin Miller

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