A NEW Destination Basingstoke initiative called Businesses Backing Basingstoke is rapidly capturing the imagin-ation of a wide range of local businesses.

Over the last few weeks, 10 more businesses have joined the scheme which offers a range of marketing benefits, including exposure on the destination basingstoke.co.uk website, and a certificate to display as a show of support for the town. Other benefits include opportunities for direct e-marketing as well as free perk cards for staff.

Several backers of the scheme met at Gary Livingstone’s LG Motion and MiniTec UK factory on the Houndmills Industrial Estate.

Among them was Rafi Razzak, chairman of IT provider Centerprise International. He said: “As a local business that is now in its 30th year of trading, we are pleased to be putting something back into the community we live and work in by supporting the Businesses Backing Basingstoke initiative.

“It is our pleasure to join this growing business community that is committed to the future success of Basingstoke.”

Angela Warner, managing director of vacancy2market .com recruitment company, who was a finalist in the first Gazette-backed Local Business Accelerator competition, said: “We believe that our investment will support Businesses Backing Basingstoke to leverage economic growth, encouraging more people to visit, live and work in our town.

“We value quality so working in partnership with Destination Basingstoke and endorsing their new project, together we can build a bigger, brighter Basingstoke.”

Geoff Coffin, sales and marketing director of Planned Lighting Maintenance, said: “Where better than to promote your business than in your local area. PLM are pleased to be working with Destination Basingstoke who are developing great business networks and communities for local businesses to thrive.”

Louise Nix, employer relationship manager at Career Development Group, was equally enthusiastic about the initiative.

She said: “It’s a great opportunity for the charity to build partnerships with local companies who we can then work with on a cost-free basis to help them recruit staff.

“As a charity helping local people, who are out of work, to find employment, and support-ing local business to grow, we see it as vital that we are a member of this initiative.”

Jane Staff, corporate development manager for Destination Basingstoke, said: “We are delighted by the response of the business community.

“Business people seem to appreciate the value of the marketing products on offer, combined with the chance to fly the flag for Basingstoke, knowing that they are investing in Destination Basingstoke, a not-for-profit company.”

Other businesses in the scheme include Absolutely Offices, Ferns Coffee, Wote St Employment Bureau, Tony Purslow Mercedes Benz, Abacus Room Reservations and Crown Lift Trucks.

To find out about becoming a member of the Businesses Backing Basingstoke scheme, go to destinationbasingstoke.co.uk