The Business Boost 2012 Competition Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility Criteria:

1.1 The Business must be based in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme (i.e. postcode beginning ST5, ST7, CW3, TF9) and has been trading for any length of time. The organisers reserve the right to request evidence of location in the form of a utility bill or similar.

1.2 The Business must be less than 250 full time equivalent (FTE) employees. The organisers reserve the right to request proof of the number of employees.

1.3 It must not be a subsidiary of a larger business but franchise businesses may apply.

1.4 The Business must be trading at the date of closure for entries on Friday, 3rd August 2012.

1.5 All types of Businesses are eligible for entry with the exception of those involved in any form of illegal, unlawful or immoral activity.

1.6 Previous Business Boost participants may apply subject to eligibility criteria.

2. Competition Terms & Conditions:

2.1. The competition is divided into three categories: Impact on the Borough; Entrepreneurial spirit; Customer Focus. Applicants may enter one, two or all three categoriesbut must indicate a preferred choice against which they wish to be assessed. However, the judges reserve the right to select the category against which the business will be assessed.  Entrants can only win one of the seven prizes available.

2.2. Applicants must fully complete and submit the on-line application form by 3rd August 2012 to enter the first stage of the Competition.

2.3. Businesses selected for the second stage are required to submit a Business Plan. Further details will be supplied and a template will be made available upon request. Submission by 7th September 2012.

2.4. Applicants reaching the third and final stage will be required to give a short Presentation to a Panel of Judges followed by a Question and Answer Session on the morning of 4th October 2012.

2.5. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on the evening of 4th October 2012. All finalists are required to attend.

2.6. Decisions made at any stage of the Competition are at the absolute discretion of the Judges and no correspondence will be entered into by either the Organisers or the Judging Panels.

2.7. Any information provided by Applicants is treated in absolute confidence. Judges are required to sign Confidentiality Agreements (copies made available on request), and abide by the Data Protection Act 1998.

2.8. By participating in the Business Boost Competition you agree to take part in any marketing or PR campaign relating to the promotion of the Competition and its Awards.

2.9. We reserve the right to change the timescales, programme or the venues at short notice, in response to unforeseen circumstances. Applicants will be informed of any changes.

3. Timescales: 

• First stage: Application closing date: 3rd August 2012
• Second stage: Business Plan submission date: 7th September 2012
• Final stage: Presentation and Awards Ceremony: 4th October 2012

Definition: FTE is a measure of the size of business that takes account of part-time employees. It is determined by dividing working hours (excluding overtime) for all employees by the standard full-time hours.

For example, if your standard working week is 40 hours, an employee working 40 hrs/wk = 1FTE, 20 hrs/wk = 0.5 FTE, 10 hrs/wk = 0.25FTE.

FTE includes all permanent full-time and part-time employees but excludes casual employees, guests, employees on a fixed-term contract and employees on extended leave (over 28 consecutive calendar days) on the day that the data is reported.