Headline

A Scottish Government-funded study by Stirling University questioning COVID safety measures in licensed premises has been branded a “farce” by trade groups.

An Edinburgh bar owner has called on the Scottish Government to provide greater protection for commercial tenants amid concerns of a “staggering” number of failed leases in the coming months.

The Scottish Hospitality Group has called on Westminster to waive the requirement for businesses to make National Insurance contributions.

Operators on the mainland have until tomorrow (5th February) to apply for the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework Business Fund top-up grants.

The lockdown restrictions in place across mainland Scotland and several of the islands will remain in place until at least the end of February, the first minister has confirmed.

Measures outlined in the Scottish Budget yesterday (28th January) have been welcomed by trade groups, but they say more must be done to support hospitality businesses and have called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to ‘step up’ with the UK Budget on 3rd March.

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has announced a three-month extension to the current business rates 'holiday' as part of the 2021-2022 Budget statement.

Hospitality businesses need further support if they are to survive and play their part in rebuilding the economy, trade groups have said, as new figures show almost 6000 premises across the UK closed permanently last year.

Current lockdown restrictions covering mainland Scotland and some islands are to remain in place until at least mid-February, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Businesses could be in line for insurance payouts due to the COVID-19 pandemic following a court ruling.