BUDDING entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to win an ­office for a year.

A competition has been launched to offer a charity or a small firm rent free accommodation for 12 months in the north of Glasgow.

The prize is worth around £5000 and is being offered by Queen's Cross Workspace.

Both existing small businesses and new starts are eligible to enter the competition and must have an ­annual income of under £100,000.

Queens Cross Workspace was set up in 1985 to offer "affordable" leases for new businesses and charities in the area.

Tenants range from sole traders to charities to large national and international organisations,

The office being offered is based in the Queens Cross area of Maryhill, is around 500sq ft and suitable for four to six people.

It has a small kitchen area, secure entry, double glazed windows, electric heating and an allocated parking space.

Louise Smith, director of Property Services at Queens Cross Workspace, said "We have a strong track record of bringing employment into our area. By providing a high-quality office for a year we hope to give the winning company the opportunity to develop its business locally."

Entrants will be required to complete a short application form and provide a statement on why they feel they should win the prize.

Queen's Cross Workspace is a registered charity which works closely with Queen's Cross Housing Association.

Since it was set up it has provided jobs for around 600 people and funded 100 trainees each year.

It provides accommodation for 110 business, with a combined turnover in ­excess of £30million annually.

It has a 25-year track ­record of regenerating the local area over the past 25 years, both through the provision of high quality ­affordable office accommodation and various community development schemes.

Its property portfolio of 100,000sq ft comprises office suites, workspaces and ­retail units.

And it owns and manages units varying in size and design from basic workspaces to office suites within business centres.

Leases are offered to tenants on a standard annual basis and can also be extended where appropriate.

Our tenants range from sole traders to charities to large national / international organisations, many of whom have been with us for a number of years.

A panel will decide the winner based on the ­"robustness" of business plan, sustainability and whether it matches the priorities of Queen's Cross Workspace to promote ­employability in the area.

The closing date is August 28.

For further inquiries about the competition, ­contact Queens Cross Workspace via www.qcgroup.co.uk or on 0141 576 0210.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk