“Competition” means County awards for Bristol, Bath and Somerset (incorporating Gloucestershire & Wiltshire) and the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence

“Organiser” means Services for Tourism Ltd

“You” means the individual who submits an application

“Platform” means the online system that the applicant must use to complete their application.

By submitting an application to the Competition, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

• Applications for the Competition must be submitted before the deadline stated on https://www.somersettourismawards.org.uk/key-dates
• Applications must be submitted online by following the link at above websites.
• It is free to apply to all of the Competition categories/.
• The business/experience must be open at some point between 1^st June 2024 and 28 February 2025 so the judges can visit if required. If you are due to be closed for any part of this period, please ensure this is highlighted in the ‘closures’ box on your application.
• Applications may be submitted by any individual representing the business to which the application relates to and the individual who submits the application will also become the contact whom all correspondence from the Organiser and VisitEngland concerning the Competition will be addressed to.
• You must inform the Organiser immediately of any changes to the contact information relating to you or the business to which the application relates to during the Competition.
• Individuals submitting applications on behalf of another business, must have the express permission of the owner or manager of the business the application relates to.
• Employees or representatives/agents of the Organiser and VisitEngland are not eligible to submit an application to the Competition except for categories in which third party nominations are publicly invited.
• The business to which the application relates to complies with all current and relevant legal and licensing obligations. The Organiser and VisitEngland reserve the right to not consider an application if this is in doubt and cannot be confirmed.
• The business to which the application relates to operates ethically and is not involved in activity that could (or does) bring the visitor economy/ tourism industry/ Competition into disrepute. The Organiser and VisitEngland reserve the right to not consider an application if this is in doubt and cannot be confirmed.
• You can apply for more than one category, except where specified within the eligibility criteria, but separate applications must be completed for each.
• Applications will only be considered if they are deemed to meet the eligibility criteria.
• Applications will only be considered if they are submitted via the Platform and completed in full and do not exceed the maximum word counts.
• The Organiser reserves the right to move an application into a different category, if deemed more appropriate and should this occur you will be informed.
• The business to which the application relates to, agrees will, if requested, reimburse the judge and his/her partner (or family/companions in the case of some visitor attractions or experiences) on departure for the cost of the mystery visit/overnight stay, any meals taken (alcoholic drinks only for Pub of the Year, Taste of England Award and Small and Large Hotel of the Year categories), or any admission or ticket cost as appropriate to the category.
• The business to which the application relates to, agrees to be part of any publicity undertaken in association with the Competition. You accept and agree that the Organiser and VisitEngland may use or publish any photographs, comments or evidence submitted at any stage of the Competition in any media, waiving any rights to payment or to inspect and approve a finished product.
• You confirm that you or business to which the application relates to own the copyright to any photographs included with your application.
• The Organiser and VisitEngland may send you communications via email in relation to your application to the Competition e.g. reminders of the deadline and to submit your application, notification of successful application submission, judging feedback, applicant survey, event invitation.
• The Organiser and VisitBritain/VisitEngland may store your contact information within databases to send you marketing communications including newsletters, future events and promotions unrelated to the Competition.
• Competition judges may decline to award winners at any level in some or all categories, if in their opinion there are insufficient entries of a winning standard.
• The prize provided by the Organiser for each winner will be a certificate and a trophy. There is no cash alternative.
• Competition winners may publicise their success indefinitely provided the placing and year are specified in all publicity and materials.
• Competition winners may only use the specific logo issued by the Organiser or VisitEngland and not modify it in any way, nor use, or adapt for use, any other logo connected with the Organiser or VisitEngland.
• The logo may only be used alongside the location or part of the business that has won an award e.g. a self catering provider with multiple properties across different locations must only use the logo alongside the winning location.
• The Organiser and VisitEngland will not accept responsibility for applications delayed or lost as a result of any network, computer hardware or software failure.
• In the event of any dispute regarding the Competition eligibility criteria, application forms, judging process, choice of finalists/winners or any other matter relating to the Competition, the decisions of the Organiser and VisitEngland shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

ADDITIONAL TERMS

National Judging

• Should the business to which the application relates to win an award in your local Competition it may be automatically put forward for national judging by VisitEngland for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025.
• You must notify the Organiser in writing at the time of application if you do not wish to be put forward for national judging
• In rare circumstances VisitEngland may deem that an application does not meet the eligibility criteria and reserves the right not to consider the application for national judging
• It is not possible to revisit your application prior to being put forward for national judging
• VisitEngland reserves the right to move an application into a different category, if deemed more appropriate
• The prize provided by VisitEngland for each winner will be a certificate and/ or a trophy. There is no cash alternative.
• Any queries in relation to national judging should be directed to VEAwards@visitengland.org
• Any data you provide will be handled in accordance with the Organiser’s privacy policy, VisitEngland’s privacy policy and the privacy policy of the organisation contracted to provide the Platform, available on their websites.
• The Organiser reserves the right to make changes to these Applicant Terms and Conditions at any time and may notify you in writing of these changes.