Hospitality to begin to reopen from 26th April
Hospitality businesses are expected to be allowed to start reopening from 26th April, when venues will be permitted to serve alcohol in outdoor areas until 10pm and food and non-alcoholic drinks indoors until 8pm.
Scottish trade groups call for levels rethink
Scottish trade groups have submitted an alternative reopening plan for the sector which they say could save more than 60,000 jobs and contribute over £1.2 billion to the economy.
Scottish Government says £533m paid to businesses since November
The Scottish Government has said that over half a billion pounds of funding was paid to businesses through various grant schemes between November and late February.
No ‘sectoral evidence’ behind hospitality restrictions
The Scottish Hospitality Group claims a recent FOI response shows there is “no specific evidence” to justify the trading restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector.
Clarity needed for hospitality following UK Budget
Trade groups and operators have called for more support and greater clarity from both the UK and Scottish Governments in the wake of the UK Budget.
Furlough extended and lower VAT rate retained
The Coronavirus Job Retention (furlough) scheme is to be extended until the end of September, chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed in the Budget today (3rd March).
Levels announcement ‘disappointing’ for hospitality
Trade groups have said that a return to the levels system of coronavirus restrictions will mean trading is unrealistic for many businesses.
Return to levels system from 26th April
Bars and restaurants across Scotland could be allowed to start reopening from 26th April – but it will be under coronavirus levels restrictions, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Hospitality not linked to significant COVID-19 transmission
Hospitality venues across the UK were not linked to significant numbers of COVID-19 infections last year, according to a new report.
Forbes extends rates holiday until 2022
Scottish finance minister Kate Forbes has announced that the current non-domestic rates ‘holiday’ is to be extended until April 2022.
Columns
Luke Richardson
William Woodburn
