Shop to let through a raffle

Fofozuzu

Hi , another one of my crazy idea, I own a commercial unit ( for 12 years occupied for 11,5 years by 3 different tenants)which is going to be free in one month time , I advertise it on g……e in the last week and I am amazed that 500 people had a look at the ad on the website but only got 3 messages with very basic enquiry, understandably  the current economic climate is not the best at the moment and I totally hate to see empty commercial units in local neighbourhood I wanted to know if it is legal to raffle the shop by tickets say at £300 each and when I have sold enough of those tickets to cover my one year rent the winning ticket get the shop to trade on a 3/5/10 year lease with obviously the first year free and give them a fantastic opportunity to be rent free for a year which is when most new business are at risk, and I won’t be out of pocket.
i told you it was a crazy idea, so if a legally trained person in Scotland could help me by responding it will  be greatly appreciated .

p00hsticks

I'm neither legally trained nor in Scotland, but my suggestion would be to look into the legalities of a game of chance '(such as a raffle) compared to a game of skill. In England at least, I believe there are more restrictions on the former (which are classed as gambling) than the latter, which is why you often see similar schemes requiring entrants to answer a simple general knowledge style question. 

Fofozuzu

Thanks for your reply, I took the view that if 500 people looked at a commercial property for rent on the market in a dedicated website even during this economic climate and only 40 for example were seriously interested and paying each a one off £300 ( which far less than any survey, report or quote ) to get a premise and having 12 months breathing space it would be worthwhile to take a 1/40 chance.
i remember starting my business and having 3 mortgage at the same time ,a 6 weeks old baby and paying the 2 of us £50/ week for x12 hours work each person ( just enough for nappies and milk formula). My last tenants were in business for 7 years, 12 years so I try to have people staying for a long period ( better in long run) and even help financially during the Covid lockdown.
maybe I am a dreamer.

bluelad1927

Fofozuzu said:

Thanks for your reply, I took the view that if 500 people looked at a commercial property for rent on the market in a dedicated website even during this economic climate and only 40 for example were seriously interested and paying each a one off £300 ( which far less than any survey, report or quote ) to get a premise and having 12 months breathing space it would be worthwhile to take a 1/40 chance.
i remember starting my business and having 3 mortgage at the same time ,a 6 weeks old baby and paying the 2 of us £50/ week for x12 hours work each person ( just enough for nappies and milk formula). My last tenants were in business for 7 years, 12 years so I try to have people staying for a long period ( better in long run) and even help financially during the Covid lockdown.
maybe I am a dreamer.

So you had 3 basic enquires but are now hoping that them and 37 others who showed no interest will stump up £300 for a 1 in 40 chance.

Reading your last sentence I completely agree with you

Fofozuzu

thanks bluelad, if I understand your point 500 people are going on a very specific website for no reason at all or maybe some of them expect a bargain or freebie or are bored , this unit I own for 12 years have been rented for 11,5 years between 3 tenants so I think the product is fine, I just thought it would have been an incentive to get the premises for £300 and having one year rent free and be prepared for when the time is coming to pay AND NOT HAVING ANOTHER EMPTY UNIT IN HIGH STREET. As I said «  a crazy idea maybe »

Hoenir

Fofozuzu said:

 if I understand your point 500 people are going on a very specific website for no reason at all 

500 views or 500 people. Very different things. 

Fofozuzu

Yes you are right. It could be only 5 people watching 100 times each the ad. lol