The Future Sponsorship of the Cycle Trail at Leigh Woods Near Bristol

One

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March 2017

The Future Sponsorship of the Cycle Trail at Leigh Woods near Bristol

Request for Sponsorship Expressions of Interest on Behalf of the Forestry Commission

Closing Date: 12.00 noon on 13th April 2017

All Expressions of Interest must be received by 12.00 noon on the 13th April 2017.

For details of how to submit see the application form and considerationsplease refer to the back of this document.

The Forestry Commission are seeking Expressions of Interest from companies who would be interested in sponsoring one of the most popular MTB trails in Bristol.

Leigh Woods is an Ancient semi-natural woodland situated on the edge of Bristol. The ’YerTiz has over 2 miles of single-track mountain bike trail which attracts around 70,000 people per year. The YerTiz is an easily accessed trail with fantastic links to the city providing a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The trail is Blue graded with short sections of red graded trails and includes a specially designed skills area that will enable riders of most abilities to improve their bike handling skills.

What Leigh Woods has to offer

Term

1st August 2017 to the 31st August 2020. The Sponsor will agree to pay the sponsorship to the Forestry Commission annually throughout the term above.

Potential Marketing Objectives of Sponsor:

• Raise the public’s awareness of your product/brand whilst they are engaging in an enjoyable activity.
• Promote yourself as a supporter of healthy, outdoor, positive lifestyles.
• Be visible and promote yourself as a positive company by associating with the site.
• Association with a contemporary activity; a popular lifestyle choice.

This is a request for Expressions of Interest. We have an idea of how we wish to run sponsorship of the Cycle trails, but need to see who is interested, and on what basis, before we engage more formally with them. We are flexible to creative sponsorship ideas and would welcome suggestions beyond the list of ‘Benefits to the Sponsor’.

We may also consider a consortium approach from more than one sponsor providing there is no competition between them.

The Forestry Commission agree to only spend the Sponsorship on the development, repair and maintenance of the trails at Leigh woods, and related signage and information boards.

BENEFITS TO THE SPONSOR

In return for the Sponsorship, the Sponsor will receive the following credits and opportunities from the Forestry Commission:

• Trail head signage banner 3m x 1m(approximate), located along the fence at the trail start and in view of the car park.

• Waymarking signage on posts. Plaques with the Sponsor Logo and ‘Powered by……..’ (for example) at a maximum of 20 suitable points along the trail. Plaques will be 120mm x 120mm and mounted on existing way-marking wooden posts. A maximum of 20 plaques.

• A3 Di-bond sign with Sponsor details to be affixed to the eastern start point of the trail

• Sponsor to be permitted to run a number of events / demo days on dates to be agreed by the Forestry Commission.

• Link to sponsor from the FC website.

• The sponsor will be able to use branding messages on the Forestry Commission Leigh WoodsFacebook page.

• Sponsors flags and banners on cycle events based at Leigh Woods. A maximum of 4 flags per event and 2 banners (maximum size 3m X 1m) per event.

• All signs/banners/plaques are to be designed by sponsor andagreed by Forestry Commission before production. Replacement items must be supplied by the sponsor, installation will be carried out by the Forestry Commission.

• Except where otherwise expressly specified the benefits are to be provided for the duration of this Agreement.

THE TRAILS AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE

The Sponsored trails are on land owned by the Commission who will therefore remain responsible for them including all agreed features and structures throughout the term. For the avoidance of doubt the Commission are free to carry out works relating to any facilities on Commission land and to provide editorial, signage and information relating to the facilities, provided these activities do not infringe on the Benefits to the Sponsor as set out above.

KEY MESSAGES

The Commission and Sponsor will agree that throughout the term, where it is reasonably possible and practical to do so the following key messages will be promoted:

• To promote cycling as a healthy fun option, for all abilities and all sections of society.

• To encourage more people to take up cycling as a family activity.

• To give something back to the local community and to support and encourage community involvement opportunities such as volunteering.

• To build awareness of the merits of riding the correct bikes for the correct purpose.

• To build awareness of the cycling opportunities at Leigh Woodsand sponsors support of the facilities.

LIMITATIONS ON SPONSORS RIGHTS

• Links on the Commission websites cannot be linked to sales pages.

• The Commission logos cannot be used in the Sponsor's promotions, web sites or literature without first seeking permission from the Commission. The Sponsor must seek permission for each use of the logos in a new environment or project, no general right of use of the logos will be given.

• The Sponsor can be seen as supporting the Commission and the Sponsored Trails (this support can be recognised by the Commission) but the Commission, cannot be seen to recommend the Sponsor above any other private sector company.

• The sponsor may provide additional support, such as providing clothing or helping with fundraising to the trail building volunteers or other officially recognised trail management volunteers. The sponsor may also be able to work with other on-site businesses such as Pedal Progression, My Green World or the Leigh woods Coffee Co.

SPONSORSHIP COMPANY CRITERIA:

Please consider your response to the following points before filling in the form. If you feel there may be an issue then please outline what this may be in your Expression of Interest so that we can discuss it with you in detail.

-Messages are in line with Forestry Commission

-Ethics and business practices (e.g. child labour)

-Financial record available

-No negative relationship with any of the partners or wider government

-Is the relationship appropriate?

-Could there be any cause for complaint by the public / media if sponsorship goes ahead with you?

We will aim to respond to your EOI within 2 weeks of the deadline.

Expression of Interest Form

Please complete this form and attach in an email titled ‘EOI: Sponsorship’ to;

No email attachments sent to this address will be opened until after 12 noon on Thursday 13th April 2017 and all responses will be treated in commercial confidence.

Name of Company:
Individual to contact:
Address:
Postcode:
Website:
Email address:
Telephone Number:
Nature of Business: / A brief overview of what you do
Reason for interest in sponsoring trail: / If you have a particular interest or passion relevant to cycling or the sites
Financial contribution level: / What would you be offering
Other relevant comments: / Please let us know any issues we may need to consider regarding working with you as a sponsor and / or thoughts you may have on how you would like the sponsorship to work.