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Terms and Conditions

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using this website

Terms of website use

This terms of use (together with the documents referred to in it) (these “Terms”) tells you the terms of use on which you may make use of the Business Gateway website (this “Website”), whether as a guest or a registered user. Use of this Website includes accessing, browsing, or registering to use this Website.
Please read these Terms carefully before you start to use this Website, as these will apply to your use of this Website. We recommend that you print a copy of this for future reference.
These Terms refer to the following additional terms, which also apply to your use of this Website:

  • The Event Booking Terms (below), which sets out the additional terms that apply to any event bookings made through this Website;
  • Our Privacy Policy, which sets out the terms on which we process any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us. By using this Website, you consent to such processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate.
  • Our Cookie Policy, which sets out information about the cookies on this Website.

By using this Website, you confirm that you accept these Terms and that you agree to comply with them. If you do not agree to these Terms, then you must not use this Website.


About Business Gateway

Business Gateway is an advice service provided in collaboration with the 32 local authorities in Scotland (acting both individually and jointly as members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (“Cosla”)) and various support bodies. In these Terms, we call these bodies and organisations “Delivery Partners”.

Different parts of Business Gateway are provided by different Delivery Partners under the “Business Gateway” brand. For example, local Business Gateway offices are operated by or on behalf of the relevant local authority, whereas the Business Enquiry Service is provided by Scottish Enterprise. Events, webinars and workshops may be provided by any Delivery Partner. Grants and funding facilitated by Business Gateway may be provided by any Delivery Partner.

In order for the Delivery Partners to provide Business Gateway services, your information may be shared between Delivery Partners and other relevant bodies and organisations. You can find out more about this in our Privacy Policy.

Find out more about the services that Business Gateway offers.


About this Website

This Website is operated by Cosla ("We"), an unincorporated association having its main office at 19 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh, EH12 5BH. You can find out more about Cosla on the Cosla website.

You acknowledge that Business Gateway and this Website is intended for use by people who either run a business or are looking to start a business. Accordingly, you agree that you are accessing this Website in your capacity as a business and not as a consumer.


Changes to these terms and this Website

We may revise these Terms at any time by amending this page. Please check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes we made, as they are binding on you.

We may update this Website from time to time, and may change the content at any time. However, please note that any of the content on this Website may be out of date at any given time, and we are under no obligation to update it.

We do not guarantee that this Website, or any content on it, will be free from errors or omissions.


Accessing this Website

Our Website is made available free of charge.

We do not guarantee that this Website, or any content on it, will always be available or be uninterrupted. Access to this Website is permitted on a temporary basis. We may suspend, withdraw, discontinue or change all or any part of this Website without notice. We will not be liable to you if for any reason this Website is unavailable at any time or for any period.

You are responsible for making all arrangements necessary for you to have access to this Website.

You are also responsible for ensuring that all persons who access this Website through your internet connection or devices or equipment provided by you are aware of these Terms and other applicable terms and conditions, and that they comply with them.


Intellectual property rights

We are the owner or the licensee of all intellectual property rights in this Website, and in the material published on it. Those works are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All such rights are reserved.

You may print off copies, and may download extracts, of any page(s) from this Website for your personal use and you may draw the attention of others within your organisation to content posted on this Website.

You must not modify the paper or digital copies of any materials you have printed off or downloaded in any way, and you must not use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences or any graphics separately from any accompanying text.

Our status (and that of any identified contributors) as the authors of content on this Website must always be acknowledged.
You must not use, embed or otherwise distribute any part of the content on this Website for commercial purposes without obtaining a licence to do so from us or our licensors.

If you print off, copy or download any part of this Website in breach of these terms of use, your right to use this Website will cease immediately and you must, at our option, return or destroy any copies of the materials you have made.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to prevent you from sharing links to any content on this Website by email or through social media, or using any sharing tools provided on this Website


No reliance on information

The content on this Website is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on this Website.

Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on this Website, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on this Website is accurate, complete or up-to-date.


Limitation of our liability

Nothing in these terms of use excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, or our fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law.

To the extent permitted by law, we exclude all conditions, warranties, representations or other terms which may apply to this Website or any content on it, whether express or implied.
We will not be liable to any user for any loss or damage, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, even if foreseeable, arising under or in connection with:

  • use of, or inability to use, this Website; or
  • use of or reliance on any content displayed on this Website.

Please note that in particular, we will not be liable for:

  • loss of profits, sales, business, or revenue;
  • business interruption;
  • loss of anticipated savings;
  • loss of business opportunity, goodwill or reputation; or
  • any indirect or consequential loss or damage.

We will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a virus, distributed denial-of-service attack, or other technologically harmful material that may infect your computer equipment, computer programs, data or other proprietary material due to your use of this Website or to your downloading of any content on it, or on any website linked to it.

We assume no responsibility for the content of websites linked on this Website. Such links should not be interpreted as endorsement by us of those linked websites. We will not be liable for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them.


Rights you licence

When you upload or post content to this Website, you grant us and the other Delivery Partners a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable and sub-licensable licence to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform such content in connection with Business Gateway. Whilst we may acknowledge you as the author of that Content, you agree that by uploading or posting your content you waive your moral rights in that content.


Viruses

We do not guarantee that this Website will be secure or free from bugs or viruses.

You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform in order to access this Website. You should use your own virus protection software.

You must not misuse this Website by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs or other material which is malicious or technologically harmful. You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to this Website, the server on which this Website is stored or any server, computer or database connected to this Website. You must not attack this Website via a denial-of-service attack or a distributed denial-of service attack. By breaching this provision, you would commit a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and we will co-operate with those authorities by disclosing your identity to them. In the event of such a breach, your right to use this Website will cease immediately.


Linking to this Website

You may link to this Website, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it. You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part where none exists. Our site must not be framed on any other site.

We reserve the right to withdraw linking permission without notice.

If you wish to make any use of content on this Website other than that set out above, please contact hello@bgateway.com.


Third party links and resources in this Website

Where this Website contains links to other sites and resources provided by third parties (including other Delivery Partners), these links are provided for your information only. We have no control over the contents of those sites or resources.


Applicable law

These Terms, their subject matter and their formation (and any non-contractual disputes or claims) are governed by Scots law. We both agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Scotland.


Contact us

To contact us, please email hello@bgateway.com or telephone 0300 013 4753 or 0141 471 1878.


Event booking

These terms and conditions (these “Terms”) set out additional terms and conditions that apply when you book a place at a Business Gateway event, webinar or workshop. These Terms are supplemental to the main terms of use above and privacy policy for the Business Gateway website.


Provision of events

Business Gateway is an advice service provided in collaboration between Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Development International, and the 32 local authorities in Scotland (acting both individually and jointly as members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (“Cosla”)). In these Terms, we call these bodies and organisations “Delivery Partners”. Events under the “Business Gateway” banner may be organised by any Delivery Partner. The Delivery Partner or organiser will usually be displayed on the event webpage.


Booking and event delivery

By completing an online event booking you are indicating you will attend the relevant event (inc online events such as webinars) and that you acknowledge and agree to these Terms.

Places on events are booked on a first-come first-served basis. It is usually essential that all delegates pre-book places at an event. The Delivery Partner organising the event reserves the right to refuse access to anyone who has not pre-booked a place.

Group bookings are available for some events, but for other events there may be restrictions on the number of attendees that can attend from the same organisation. Full booking details can be found in the relevant event details web page.

If an event is fully booked but has a waiting list, you can join the list for the event. In event of a cancellation, you will receive an invitation email notifying you that a spot has become available. If you wish to book the spot, you can accept the invitation.

The duration and location of the event will be specified in the event description for that event.


Disruptive behaviour policy

All Business Gateway events or webinars cover topics focussed on helping develop business skills which can help you with your business goals. They are popular and well attended by customers from communities across Scotland, and attendees are expected to be considerate and respectful of both Business Gateway staff and other attendees.

If your behaviour is disruptive or unacceptable to other event or webinar attendees, then the trainer may issue a warning and ask you to stop acting in a disruptive manner. If you ignore this warning and continue to disrupt the event or webinar then the trainer may ask you to leave the event, or mute/remove you from the webinar.

Serious or repeat instances of disruptive or unacceptable behaviour may lead to your access to Business Gateway services being restricted or withdrawn.


Privacy policy

By registering for and event run by Business Gateway you agree to the terms and conditions of the privacy policy.


Inclusion and equality

Business Gateway is committed to make every effort to ensure equality of access and to meet the needs of the target audience. If you have any specific needs, not covered in the event booking form, please contact your local Business Gateway office, email hello@bgateway.com or telephone 0300 013 4753 or 0141 471 1878.


Event fees

All Business Gateway Events are free.


Cancellation policy

If you are unable to attend an event for any reason then please cancel via the link sent to you in the Event Confirmation Email or you can also contact your local office or call us on 0300 013 4753 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.


Event cancellation

Occasionally an event may need to be cancelled or postponed. If a cancellation takes place, you will get notified by email, telephone or in writing.


Changes to an event

It may also be necessary to change the content or speakers for an event. The Delivery Partner will use reasonable endeavours to notify you of changes made to timing and venue. However you acknowledge and agree that the Delivery Partner reserves the right to make changes to an event without notice.