Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about the business competition and regional Awards Show Ceremony and Dinner evenings
Including the Terms and Conditions our competition and website operate under and followed by our Privacy Policy
We’ve been producing award shows in Scotland since 2015. There have been over 100 awards nights from Inverness to the Borders with 11 years of Grand Finals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
After 11 years we’ve been asked a lot of questions so here are just over 130 answers. Anything else please contact us
What do I win ?
We operate a national badge recognition system. An example is above. You might see this on a business website, in their premises, on their vehicles, hear it in their advertising or see it on television advertising or used online. Like a star rating for a hotel the logo must always appear with the year it was awarded in and at the level it was awarded. ie Nominee, Finalist, Regional Winner, Grand Finalist or National Winner and it should be attached to the place of business either freestanding, on a wall or window. Your printing or design partners are free to use the logo in your advertising. Your printer or designer will normally contact us for the artwork. Your business name doesn’t appear on the badge, the badge appears on your business. Advertisers will always clarify which year the award was for as the badge must not give the impression you have a continuous win.
Do you charge for the awards themselves ?
Once you are registered for the competition we don’t charge you for the actual award, replacing an award or posting an award or a replacement to you. Nor do we charge for issuing or replacing nominee or finalist frames and certificates. Every finalist can have a finalists certificate and these are also issued free of charge. Even copies of previous years awards can be requested at no charge to you for either the award or postage.
What is the business competition ?
The business competition is an annual event firstly in each of the regions of Scotland with nearby evening dinner award shows and then the national Grand Final awards night and dinner held once a year. If you’ve received a letter from us you can take part and it is possible to put your business forward if you are new or haven’t been contacted.
How did I get nominated ?
Businesses want a competition which is easy and open for any business to enter but don’t confuse that with easy to win. Anyone can nominate a business via the website, telephone, text, social media or email and it happens all of the time a typical year will have around 400,000 votes and nominations. Anyone can nominate a business, they don’t have to leave their name because we are going to check with the business first if they want to take part. We get instances of parents paying the registration for a business or friends and relatives asking not to be identified as the person who put it forward. Businesses can also nominate themselves and rival businesses in towns and cities often do. No matter how a business gets nominated our concern is that the correct business wins in that year.
Why do you send letters ?
Very early on in the life of the competition business owners wanted a hard copy of what they were being offered. These days we use letters then email, text and telephone calls. But letters normally back up everything. Get it in writing. Later in the competition a next day letter sent to you helps us also confirm that your business still has access to a location. Letters that fail to arrive after your registration will alert us that something may be wrong, so using the postal service as part of the process won’t be going away anytime soon.
Multiple categories
If your business receives multiple letters for different categories ie cafe and takeaway or hair salon and beauty salon, as long as its the same financial business you don’t need to register each category. A business can be registered once but compete in up to 3 relevant categories. Once registered for the competition additional categories are added by us. If you do happen to register twice one of the registrations will be refunded to the card you paid with.
I received a letter for a closed business
A closed physical business these days doesn’t always mean the business has completely disappeared. Limited companies can turn into partnerships and sole traders etc so we will follow a business until someone tells us it is no more. Sometimes physical businesses move online before disappearing and it is understandable that your friend’s side hustle doesn’t want nominated in case HMRC spots the online trading. Even if you put a name forward the business has to accept it first and they are not under any obligation to do so.
Legacy Votes
Each annual competition generates legacy votes. The public don’t stop voting. In the excitement that your business has been involved in the competition or indeed has won your category the public will vote again, sometimes after last years competition, which can enter you for the next years business awards. We call these legacy votes. You will receive notification but you don’t have to take part again.
Business Registration
Since August 2020 it is now necessary for a business to register with the competition by completing registration details and paying a registration fee. In the past open registration caused half hearted entries and a lot of running about for our awards staff around businesses who had no intention of competing despite sharing voting details on their social media etc. We are confident this new stage will stop this happening and add more value to our awards process. The cost of point of sale, mystery shopping and any necessary business visits is met by the registration fee and ensures the business is fully aware it has entered a business competition.
Business Visits
If we can’t establish easily what your business does or when it is open then we will send someone out to verify the business.
Am I in business ?
At the stage where you are trying out a new venture or still working at a another full or part time job you need to watch that you are still following the rules. A common mistake in a new online or home business is not giving out your business address. This means on websites and facebook and other social media too. Businesses who are missing contact details ie an address, phone number and email address are unlikely to progress through a business competition. Consider how customers find or contact you.
What happens if I do nothing ?
If we don’t hear from you despite attempts to visit your business, contact you in person or telephone you the business will drop out of the competition.
Won’t businesses with the largest social media following win ?
No, it’s not a clicking competition.
As a business owner, will this take up a lot of my time which I already don’t have ?
Everything is arranged through a representative who’ll contact you at a convenient time answering any questions you or your colleagues may have.
It will however require some effort. You can’t win on Easy Mode. We are not going to call you or email to say you have won with no effort as some online awards business do. You need to take part in voting, submitting information to us and actually talking to us about the business BEFORE you win. We also have well established awards nights all across the UK. There are also businesses who will lose on the night because it is a real business competition. Photos from the nights show businesses who won and those who didn’t win showing everyone who attended it is a very well supported business competition.
I don’t want to bother my customers to vote, do I have to ?
No certainly not. We have moved away from that being the deciding factor. Through time the public become less enthusiastic about online voting and previous winners have occasionally struggled to re-create a previous years voting pattern. Competition for space on timelines is fierce and you can’t always be sure your audience is seeing your particular message.
When is voting appropriate ?
Voting whether online or offline is not appropriate to all business sectors and we appreciate this. Some customers cannot or would not leave a review anywhere depending on the service they are using.
Over classification
To prevent the over classification of awards categories certain business types are considered together. Cafes, Coffee Houses, Coffee Shops and Tearooms are all classed as Cafes. Similarly the variety of beauty treatments on offer today are classed as Beauty Treatments not the specialisation of the beauty tech performing them. This includes lashes, brows, semi-permanent make up, facial, medical and non medical aesthetics etc and this list is not exhaustive.
My vote has been returned as blacklisted spam
What is the link to vote on ?
Shouldn’t there be an apostrophe in Scotland’s Business Awards ?
11 years ago when the competition started an apostrophe in a web address would just error. Even today it might offer you the wrong website before us. It was designed for smartphones to make the nomination and voting process work better. That’s why we didn’t use it from the start.
If I enter my email or mobile number will I start receiving unwanted messages ?
No. We have never used emails or mobile numbers for that purpose. We do not collect business or personal information intended for use in marketing.
How do I find out who is in the shortlist ?
Details are discussed in person with each individual business before being used in a shortlist. In the past shortlists published online were used as calling lists by salespeople from other businesses so you wont find them online.
If you are telephoned and told you’ve won and can pay for an award straight away….
You haven’t won by this method and you’ve probably been targeted by fraudsters exploiting your recent social media post. Nominees have reported being telephoned by companies in Glasgow and Warwickshire offering them in vague terms to sell them the award. You will find this happens soon after a post anywhere on social media.
There is an award but it isn’t ours and by saying business awards they are hoping you become confused. We do not work with any other company for press releases or photos, this is a lie. They have not worked with us for years, that is also a lie. Press releases are sent directly from us and the photographers are with us at the awards nights.
That’s why you have a named representative with their mobile number. The fraudsters will want your card details straight away or issue an invoice which is not from the contact address on this website. We understand this can be embarrassing and frustrating but if you can give us any information about being contacted in this manner we can help warn other businesses. The caller will talk about the award and say they are working with us or are us which is not true we don’t work through any other business. We don’t offer postal awards nor do we charge you £500+ to send it to you. This type of deception has increased in 2025. You can check if we have called you by calling Scott Somerville on 07505401575 or main reception on 0131 516 0526
This is an on-going problem and was last reported to us in January 2026 so please be careful.
If you are telephoned and told you are a finalist and can pay straight away to go to the awards….
Nominees have reported being telephoned by companies in Glasgow and Warwickshire offering them in vague terms tickets to an awards night. You will find this happens soon after a post anywhere on social media.
There is an award but it isn’t ours and by saying business awards they are hoping you become confused.
That’s why you have a named representative with their mobile number. The fraudsters will want your card details straight away or issue an invoice which is not from the contact address on this website. We understand this can be embarrassing and frustrating but if you can give us any information about being contacted in this manner we can help warn other businesses. A cafe in Glasgow went to the wrong awards in 2024 and didn’t realise until they arrived at the awards venue to see the logos were wrong. You can check if we have called you by calling Scott Somerville on 07505401575 or main reception on 0131 516 0526
Isn’t every business a finalist ?
No, we aim to reduce the finalists to 5 or less businesses per category in the regional competitions. In the national Grand Final stage there can be representatives from any of the winning counties. Both stages are optional.
Doesn’t everyone win ?
Unfortunately not, you have to be prepared to compete and not win, no one is given the result beforehand. The judges decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
Who are you working in partnership with ?
We are not connected to, nor working with, any other body or organisation. Nor are we connected to either local councils or the government. The competition is self funding and independent. There are no sponsors. If someone contacts you claiming otherwise, please let us know. We will not give your details to a third party for any reason.
Privacy – You are asking for telephone numbers or email addresses on the voting form, what happens to them ?
Nothing. They are deleted after the relevant competition. Only we have access to the voting forms no third party is involved at all.
I received a letter but the business is gone or does not exist now
Let us know, we will have it removed so it doesn’t happen again.
Someone has told me the letter/competition is a scam ?
There are scams out there that will take money and there is no event. There are also people selling awards with no event you just pay for the award. We operate a complete regional and national awards show. Best to check with us first using the name and telephone number on your letter which is the reason we supply it so you can check with us straight away.
We have also identified people spreading misinformation about the awards, these can be people connected to other awards or with businesses who may not appreciate anyone looking at what they do, we keep an open mind and are grateful for the assistance we receive from anyone who can give us more information.
Can I see the number of votes I have ?
Vote counters were online until 2018 when it was discovered that people would sit up all night placing duplicate votes just to watch the online counters go up. If they cannot see the counters this doesn’t happen.
What happens if someone posts lots of duplicate/fake votes ?
We are watching voting patterns and if an unusually high number of votes is detected from one IP address finalists are sent an email advising them we have spotted an unusual voting pattern.
I’ve lost the voting link
Please use www.nominees.info/vote
How do I vote
Please use www.nominees.info/vote
How do I nominate a business ?
Business Nomination
When does voting close ?
Voting closes at midnight two days before an awards show – normally a Friday before the Sunday awards night.
How many business are in my category ?
There are normally 4 or 5 businesses in a regional awards category
There’s a different voting web address on my letter
Some of the voting links are regional but they all gather in the same place so it doesn’t matter which link you use.
I can’t see my business name on your website how do my customers vote ?
Customers are asked to enter your business name on the voting page.
Someone just called me and asked for my card details
That’s not us, some competitions do outbound calling for card details but we don’t, you must go to our website yourself to use it or you have to call us.
My card payment is not going through on your website
Call us we can go into the system and find out why.
I’m having difficulty registering my business or purchasing tickets ?
We can send a direct link to your phone but only once you’ve contacted us, please call us.
Do you have discount for charity ?
There are no further discounts available other than on the website.
My ticket access code isn’t working
Within 48 hours of an awards dinner the code may be changed. The code may also stop working if the event is sold out. This means you have to call us for any last minute amendments which may or may not be possible please call us.
My business name has recently changed can I still enter ?
Yes just put the new business name in the shipping details on the registration page and we will update it.
How fast does my POS voting material come ?
Digital versions are emailed over within 24 hours. Physical versions take 2 or 4 days to arrive.
How easy is it for my customers to vote ?
The POS material has a QR code, a standard rate text number (not premium) and a shorter wed address to make it easier.
I have elderly customers can I put a vote in for them ?
Some businesses use a tablet near the reception desk to register a vote on behalf of customers who have difficulty with smartphones etc or may not own one but still want to vote.
Do you let the winners know before the awards dinner night they have won ?
No, that spoils the electric atmosphere on the night. No one is told they have won.
Do I have to pay anything else apart from the Registration Fee
If you go to the regional awards dinner it will cost approx £69+vat per person if you win that one the national Grand Final in November costs approx £10 more
Has any business won twice ?
Yes businesses have won twice in a row over 2 years. Winning 3 times is unusual.
How late can I register my business ?
Business have registered within 2 to 3 weeks of an awards night. Its not a clicking competition so length of time voting has no relevance.
Are my awards nights tickets included in the registration fee ?
No these are separate. Some businesses join the awards but don’t or can’t attend the awards night.
Where are you based ?
We are based in Edinburgh
How long has the business competition been running ?
Scotlands Business Awards is in its 11th year.
I’ve just started my business can I take part ?
Yes we have categories for New Businesses
I work on my own is it worth me taking part ?
Yes you are put up against businesses like yours not big companies.
What happens after I register online ?
You will receive a receipt for the payment then an email with the digital versions of the voting materials. You also receive physical versions for the business in the post.
What is sent in the postal voting pack ?
In the postal pack are A5 tent cards with voting QR code, text voting number and the short national web address which is easier to type. These tent cards and stickers are unlimited and you can have as many of them as you like for reception desks, counter tops, restaurant tables etc
I received 2 or 3 business categories do I have to register each one ?
A business can be in 3 different categories under one registration so no the same business does not have to register different categories. If the businesses have different names then yes you would have to register them separately.
I don’t want to pay online can I pay over the phone ?
Yes please call us.
Can you send me a receipt ?
Everyone gets a receipt for the card payment, if you don’t get this your email address may be been entered incorrectly and it does happen, please contact us.
Can you send me a vat receipt ?
Yes this normally follows the card receipt.
Can my business be invoiced for the registration fee ?
Yes, but the digital and physical voting pack won’t be sent until the invoice is paid.
Can I nominate my own business ?
Yes please use https://www.scotlandsbusinessawards.co.uk/nomination/
How does the competition work ?
There are 3 parts – Online nomination and votes, the street team who check everyone is open and trading and we get back in touch with you to discuss the background of the business we also ask for any press articles or community work you do.
What if I can’t be mystery shopped ?
If you are an appointment based business mystery shopping won’t apply to you but we will still be in touch with you to discuss the background to the business and you can still participate in voting.
Do all nominees get to attend the awards night ?
Yes all nominees can attend the regional awards night, details will be sent out by us in plenty of time both emails and letters. Winners from the regional night can attend the Grand Final.
Do you keep seats available for finalists right up to the last minute ?
No we don’t. Some competitions reserve swathes of empty reserved seats but these were likely for no-one. Venues charge for every seat allocated so we won’t keep you a seat unless we know you are coming. Best practice is to book your seats at least 14 days in advance, remember hotels like to know about any special dietary requirements in your party at least 1 week prior to the event.
I’ve lost my nomination letter ?
We can take your business name and address details and send another.
Where do I buy tickets for the awards night ?
www.scotlandsbusinessawards.co.uk/tickets
I’ve lost my access code for awards night tickets
Contact us with your business name for another code.
How much are awards nights tickets ?
As a guide last years were £69+vat per person
Do I have to buy a full table at the awards ?
No you don’t, tickets can be bought individually.
Should I contact the hotel about my table ?
No, we set the table plan and send it to the hotel.
Do you offer any discounted tickets ?
If you book a table of 10 you only pay for 9 guests.
Do you offer a complimentary ticket[s} for nominees ?
Some Scottish business competitions do but we don’t. We are fortunate that our events sell out completely.
Do you offer rates for charitable businesses ?
No we don’t.
Do you offer rates for non-profit businesses ?
No we don’t.
If my staff all buy their own tickets will we be sat at the same table ?
If they are all purchased under different email addresses you’ll need to let us know by email that you want to sit together.
Can I buy one ticket ?
Yes you can buy as few or as many tickets as you like.
If I attend on my own where will I sit ?
You will be sat with other guests but no one from the same category will be at your table.
How late can I buy my tickets ?
You can continue to buy tickets until they are sold out but remember if you have special dietary requirements chef will want at least 1 weeks notice. Best practice is at least 14 days prior to the event.
I’ve bought award tickets but now can’t go, can I have a refund ?
We will try to resell the tickets for you. Tickets are not normally refunded unless the event is cancelled, postponed or rescheduled.
Can I add another person(s) to my table ?
Tables hold a maximum of 10 or 12 people depending on the hotel check with us first.
I have more than 10 members of staff who want to go to the awards night
If a business has 11+ staff going to the dinner they will be split across 2 tables of ten or 3 tables of ten etc.
How do I add another person(s) to my table ?
10 is the maximum at most hotels. Book another ticket(s) use the same email address as the first order the emails will be matched and everyone sat together.
One of my guests uses a wheelchair
Let us know as soon as possible and this can be incorporated into the seating plan.
One of my guests uses an assistance dog
Assistance dogs are the only animals allowed into the venue.
One of my guests is profoundly deaf and requires a sign language interpreter
Let us know as soon as possible and this can be incorporated into the seating plan. The interpreter who must be properly accredited with visible identification does not need a ticket to sit near you at the event.
Can I get another ticket for the award night ?
If they are available on the ticket page you can have them.
Does everyone attending an awards night require a ticket ?
Yes. Everyone over 11 years old.
Can I buy a ticket on the door ?
Tickets need to be purchased through the website ideally one week before for catering arrangements.
Can I buy tickets from the hotel or venue ?
No the hotel or venue doesn’t issue tickets.
I’d rather buy tickets over the phone, how can I do this ?
Please contact us.
I can’t find my tickets
We can re-mail them from the ticketing system
Do I have to bring my tickets to the awards night ?
Businesses are checked in business name and we know the number allocated so it’s not necessary.
I haven’t received any ticket confirmation ?
Please contact us we can check and resend it.
There’s money on my card but my bank keeps declining it.
There can be a number of reasons for this. If a customer tries more than 3 times on our website their bank may block the card until the customer contacts the bank. Bank card checks are sometime random or because you haven’t purchased from us before.
Tickets are sold out ?
The tickets will have sold out if the website states this.
What’s on the menu at the awards dinner ?
There are slight variations but most comprise a soup dish, chicken dish and a dessert. There is always a vegetarian/vegan option for those who don’t eat chicken. Some include wine with the meal and there are normally soft drink options.
I have a special dietary requirements ?
in the first instance so we can gather them altogether.I have a food allergy ?
in the first instance so we can gather them altogether.Are the awards shows on the same date each year ?
No sometimes the dates are changed.
Do you take photographs on the night ?
Our photographer photographs everyone as they arrive on the red carpet. They also photograph the winners as they come off stage.
I don’t like a photo that is on your website what can I do ?
Photos initially taken at an awards night can later be problematic. We understand this. People can fall out, businesses change and sometimes you just don’t like the photo. If this happens we can take the photo down for you just let us know. Its a rare occurrence but can happen.
Can I take video on the night ?
By all means video yourselves or your party or friends. Over the years we have found businesses prefer to relax and not be videoed so the event is not normally recorded nor livestreamed. If you do post video and someone raises a take down request we cannot get involved.
Is there a dress code for awards nights ?
The events are Black Tie events however lounge suits can be worn and you can also see what everyone else has worn in the previous shows in the photos on our website.
I’ve lost your email
We can take your business name and email to resend it.
What happens at an awards night ?
Guests arrive 6pm to 7pm, First Awards from 7pm to 8pm, Dinner 8pm until 9.30pm, Second Awards 9.30pm until 10.30pm when the evening ends. Times sometimes vary because of the size of the event or location of the venue.
If I win do I have to give a speech ?
If you do win you collect your award from the stage, you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to but thank you is nice.
Can my business sit with another business ?
I don’t have 10 guests can we have the table to ourselves ?
Parties or 6 or more guests can have a table to themselves at a regional awards night. The national Grand Final sells out every year and this kind of table blocking isn’t allowed. However if your awards night is sold out completely we will need every available seat.
Can my children come to the awards ?
Hotel guidance is no prams or children being carried. The child should be able to sit in a chair by themselves and eat at a table though not necessarily a three course dinner. Children below 13 do not always have to be paid for please check with us.
Can I book my hotel room through you ?
No please contact the hotel. If a discount code is available it will be in the email we have sent you. Don’t book your hotel room before you have your tickets especially for a Grand Final which sells out every year.
Is there car parking at the hotel ?
Will vary from hotel to hotel but will be on the hotel guidance given.
I haven’t received my finalist or winner certificate ?
Contact us and we can send another.
Can I have a list of the winners ?
We don’t issue lists of any kind please get in touch with us.
I have a query about a previous show / business / or category
Please get in touch with us.
Do you have a press release ?
Please get in touch with us.
Where can I find the results ?
Please get in touch with us.
Can I have a copy of the photos taken on the night ?
Yes our photographers can forward the photos on to you.
Did I win at the recent awards night ?
Please check with us on the Tuesday following an awards night. Wins are confirmed in writing by email and not given verbally over a phone or in a text message.
What happens if I can’t attend the awards night ?
If your business does win we will send the award out to you and your business goes through to the Grand Final in November. If your business doesn’t win we will send out a finalist certificate.
Can I use your logo on my website ?
Yes the logo should always show the year it was won and at what level nominee, finalist, regional winner, national winner. Vice versa if you put something up which isn’t correct we will ask you to take it down. This has only happened a handful of times in 11 years.
Can I take the images from your website ?
If its your photo yes, photos will normally only be online quality.
Can I sponsor an awards category ?
No that’s not possible.
Can I advertise on your website ?
No that’s not possible.
Can I advertise on the tables at your awards night ?
We don’t allow any advertising nor charity envelopes on the tables at our awards nights.
My marketing people need your logo can they have it ?
We can send the logo to them normally at 300dpi for print.
One of your nominees has been involved in criminality who can I tell ?
we are not a retroactively punitive organisation so a business may be quietly dropped from the competition or future stages as a result. We sometimes get information from outside agencies or concerned members of the public but we need proof not hearsay. Finalists have tried to discredit one another in the past via rivalry but we have to separate that from actual criminal activity.Communication between businesses taking part
Finalists are expect to be respectful to other finalists throughout the process of the business competition which includes the regional and national stages. If this doesn’t happen although we are not a retroactively punitive organisation a business may be quietly dropped from the competition or future stages if it is shown that evidence exists that they have been in touch with one another in any form of communication in a disrespectful manner.
Privacy – Do you share my details with anyone else outside of the competition ?
No. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR regulation. We have a legal duty to protect any information we collect from you. We take appropriate security measures to safeguard your data and apply security standards & controls to prevent any unauthorised access to it.
When you visit this website, your browser and version, operating system and the site you came from are stored in a log file. This information is only used for statistical purposes to help improve this site. Log files do not contain any personal information.
If you send us an email message or complete an online form, we will use your email address and any information you provide to deal with and respond to your query or comments. This information may be disclosed to the appropriate person in order to deal with or respond to your message.
We may collect information that you give to us to take part in our competition or nominations. We may share non-personal statistical information within our organisation.
This privacy statement applies only to websites belonging to and operated by Scotlands Business Awards. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of third party web sites that may be linked to our web pages.
Privacy – What details about me or my business will you post online ?
Very little. In our competitions we have come across many scenarios that have brought us to a decision that you decide just how much goes online about your nomination or your win, should you win. This deals with many common occurrences and prepares for changes that may be caused by the General Data Protection Regulation, your Right To Be Forgotten and the EU Privacy Removal aspect as time moves on. Such as
- Your business details cannot be harvested from our site unless someone recognises your image in a photo. Photos are taken offline as time moves on
- You are taking part in more than one business competition and you want to control which is promoted and at which time of year
- Your details don’t appear online as results in inaccurate searches. Search Engines do not know the difference between finalists and winners so online searches in the past were inaccurate
- You didn’t want to be nominated by the public
- Your business has closed, been renamed or changed hands prior to or since its involvement in a competition
- The staff members responsible for the award have left the business or there has been a significant change in your personnel since a previous competition.
- You do not enter the competition
- You do not want a photograph taken
- The winner has died either prior to or after a competition.
We will still support any request for details made by individual finalists or winners with a common sense approach, but no details of finalists or winners is stored online.
Data Storage
Currently if you voted prior to 1st January 2023 your email or phone number and the name of the business or businesses you supported has already been deleted from our system