New businesses across the Vale of White Horse have the chance to win a free furnished office for an entire year. Companies which are less than two years old are being encouraged to enter The Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition which could provide them with opportunity to take that step up to the next level. The top prize is a free furnished office for 12 months in a Jennings business centre, worth up to £6,000. Finalists will receive a virtual office package at any Jennings business centre, providing professional advice, mail forwarding, phone redirection, the use of meeting rooms and the opportunity for hot-desking, all free for 12 months. The winners will also receive a cutting edge, face-to-face advice package from Oxford Business Mentors. To enter, all new businesses have to do is, describe in 100 words or less what they have learnt and achieved in their first two years. This could be how they’ve achieved growth, overcome obstacles or realised a dream. For further information about the competition, including entry details and terms and conditions, please see www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/businessnews. The closing date for entries is Thursday 28 February 2013. The competition is being run by Jennings and sponsored by Promoting Business In…, Oxford Business Mentors, Lloyds TSB, OXLink, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council, Fredericks Oxfordshire and The Late Breakfast. This will be the fifth time Jennings have run the competition, with previous winners including Dippers and Divers Swim School, who teach babies and children to swim and have fun safely in a swimming pool. Sam Matthias from Dippers, said: “On winning the award our business has doubled in size. We employ more staff and offer more people the opportunity to learn to swim. We will always be thankful for the platform winning the award gave us.” Paul Mabbutt, MD of Jennings, who own and run business parks in southern Oxfordshire, said: “ “Supporting small businesses is key to what we do at Jennings, so to be able to give new and fledgling businesses such a boost so early on in their journey is a real pleasure for us. Winning this competition, and even entering, can be the springboard these new ventures need” Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet Member for Economy, Leisure and Property at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting the Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition. The scheme has already helped a number of start ups develop their business and provide a boost to the local economy, and I’m sure this year will be no different.”