Ten of Brighton and Hove's newest businesses are preparing for more than 15 minutes of fame.

A 14-part documentary series, New Tycoons, which airs on BBC3 tomorrow at 11pm, follows the progress of ten businesses in the city during the important first few months of their development.

The series is billed as an entertaining and educational series and has been filmed over six months.

Producer Emma Clarke said: "We chose Brighton because it has a reputation for being very creative and - I hate to use the word - 'cool'. There's something very aspirational about the place and people and we certainly found lots of charismatic and creative people to talk to.

"We wanted to show that starting a business can be really difficult but, provided you start small and don't expect miracles, it's possible to be successful, especially given the amount of support available these days."

Tailor Gresham Blake is no stranger to celebrity, having made clothes for the likes of Norman Cook, Jay Kay from Jamiroquai and Brighton and Hove Albion players.

But he and his wife Fal found being in the spotlight themselves a good experience.

He said: "The series has an educational remit and it isn't your typical 'fly on the wall' show. I'd been asked to do something before but that was a cheeky tailor thing and I just wasn't interested."

He hoped the series would inspire others to consider setting up their own businesses.

"We had to show them a few tears and a bit of hardship but that means it's going to be a true picture of what starting a business is like. For us to say it was all plain sailing would have been false."

Mr Blake, whose business is based in Bond Street, added: "I don't expect a flood of new customers but you never know.

"I'm hoping it persuades more people to come and see what a great place this is. Most of the production team bought suits from us."

David Samuel, of the Rare Kind Graffiti Gallery in Prince Albert Street, said the production team followed him to meetings and also filmed him creating new pieces of artwork.

He said: "I didn't really mind making a few mistakes on camera. I'm brand new to running my own business so I don't mind people seeing me do a few things wrong.

"I'm glad I did it, although I'm a bit nervous to see how I come across."

Nic Ramsey, who runs the She Said erotic boutique in Ship Street Gardens, said being involved in making the programme had encouraged her to do better.

She said: "It was very motivating in the sense that it made me much more aware about what's going on in my business.

"They filmed some pretty stressful times, such as when I closed down another business a couple of months ago, but I just talked really honestly about it on camera and even that was a positive experience."

Other businesses featured include arts venue Joogleberry Playhouse, record label Supercharged and estate agents Outlet.

Wednesday September 17, 2003