Scottish Government outlines £104 million hospitality support package
The Scottish Government has outlined details of a £104 million new year hospitality and tourism support package – including over £50 million earmarked for businesses with rateable values over £51,000 which were left out of its earlier grants schemes.
‘Immediate robust support’ crucial as Boxing Day lockdown looms
An “additional upweighted ‘extraordinary’ package of funding” must be urgently identified from Scottish and UK government budgets to support hospitality businesses and the supply chain when further coronavirus lockdown measures kick in on Boxing Day, business trade groups have said.
Trade facing further lockdown from Boxing Day
Pubs and restaurants across Scotland will have to close from Boxing Day after first minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed all of mainland Scotland will be put under level four restrictions from 26th December.
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian to move to level three
Premises in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian will not be allowed to sell alcohol and can only trade until 6pm from Friday (18th December) after first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that all three local authority areas will be put under level three restrictions
Changes to restrictions could secure future of 1800 hospitality businesses
Minor changes to trading restrictions under the Scottish Government’s coronavirus levels system could more than double the economic viability of Scotland’s hospitality businesses, and help secure the future of 1800 businesses and 32,500 jobs, according to a new study
Background music ban lifted from Saturday 12th December
Licensed premises will be able to play background music (or sound from televisions) for the first time since August under newly-published Scottish Government guidance
Scottish Government must do more if hospitality is to recover
Trade groups have welcomed the announcement of further financial support for businesses – but cautioned that more will be needed if the sector is to recover
Forbes pledges £60m in tourism support
The Scottish Government has pledged an additional £60 million to support Scotland’s tourism industry in the New Year, with additional one-off grants for hospitality businesses valued at a further £30m
Level three will cost capital pubs £3.2 million
Keeping Edinburgh in level three of coronavirus restrictions will cost the city’s pubs £3.2 million in turnover, according to the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA)
Levels changes for 16 council areas
Coronavirus restrictions will change in 16 council areas this Friday, the first minister has announced
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Niall Hassard
Andrew Dowson
Neil Morrison
Luke Richardson
