THE hospitality industry is being encouraged to rally around a Glasgow charity as it struggles with the impact of the city’s new Low Emission Zone.
Hospitality trade groups the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the Scottish Hospitality Group have joined forces to launch a fundraising campaign for the Homeless Project Welfare Service, which has found itself on the wrong side of the scheme.
Glasgow introduced a Low Emission Zone in its city centre at the beginning of June, with vehicles having to comply with Euro 4 emission standards (petrol) or Euro 6 standard (diesel) in order to gain entry to the zone. Non-compliant vehicles are charged a £60 penalty for the entering the zone, doubling with each infraction.
The scheme has already drawn fire from the hospitality industry as many of the city’s taxis are said to be non-compliant.
The Homeless Project Welfare Service delivers food and support to homeless people around Glasgow as well as operating a ‘soup kitchen’ on the city’s Argyle Street.
It also operates three vans – none of which are compliant with the Low Emission Zone.
And so the trade groups have launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for a new van, which will enable the charity to continue to carry out its essential work around Glasgow.
Contributions can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/scottish-hospitality-support-the-homeless-project
Scottish Hospitality Group director, Stephen Montgomery, said: “Again, hospitality shows that it is willing to step up to the mark to show charitable support.
“We are all going through tough times, but the work that the Homeless Project Scotland does day in and night out is beyond remarkable, and we could not allow the Glasgow LEZ scheme to put at jeopardy the needs of those so heavily dependent on this charity. To be able to provide them with a new vehicle to carry on their work, would be an amazing achievement.”
A spokesperson for the NTIA added: “It’s times like this when communities need to come together and look after those that are less fortunate; we are all facing tough times but are strength comes from our collective voice and support.
“The Homeless Project plays an important role within the community, but with the implementation of the LEZ scheme has been left them with most of their support vehicles non-compliant.
“The work they do in Glasgow is vitally important, and without doubt saves lives. We need to ensure we do everything possible to support this project to protect the vulnerable within our community.”
