Scottish hospitality industry support the 'lowest in UK'

Government support for Scotland’s beleaguered hospitality industry forced to shut down during the pandemic is the lowest across the UK, it has emerged.

Scottish firms can claim just £64 a day - a quarter of the support available in Wales, according figures released by the Scottish Hospitality Group.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to liaise with the sector to see if further help can be provided.

But the situation has been branded "shameful" by industry leaders as they approach the vital festive period when they would traditionally make 25 per cent of their annual profits.

Scotland's hospitality industry has been hit hard by restrictions

They have now stepped up calls for restrictions to be eased in the build-up to Christmas and New Year to allow viable trading.

The £64 a day available on average for Scots firms compares with £269 in Wales, £147 in Northern Ireland and £80 in England.

Scottish Hospitality Group spokesman Stephen Montgomery said: “It’s yet another blow in an already catastrophic year.

"Not only have we faced tougher restrictions, but we’re eligible for less support.

"This is a shameful way to treat the thousands of hard-working, dedicated staff whose jobs rely on the hospitality sector, especially when you consider that they have to face the public about the government’s confusing measures.”

Analysis by the group also points to even greater levels of support in Europe, including £1,785 a day in Germany, £1,071 a day in the Netherlands and up to 20 per cent of turnover in France.

Some Scottish businesses are still waiting on the £1,650 grant payments announced by the Scottish Government for those forced to close in the Central Belt from October 9 for the ‘short sharp shock’ shutdown.

Many parts of Scotland are set to move out of level four lockdown restrictions on Friday, which has shut down much of the hospitality sector in the Central Belt.

But with some restrictions remaining in place as part of the tiered regime and other government measures, many businesses now say they will be unable to trade viably and face “significant” losses.

Mr Montgomerie said: “We want fair support compared to other UK nations.

"We also want the easing of restrictions to come into effect at 6am on Friday 11, not 6pm, otherwise that’s another day of trading lost.

"Finally, we reiterate our call to the government to tweak the tiers and let us trade viably.”

The Scottish Hospitality Group comprises many of the country’s largest and best-known restaurant and bar businesses, including The DRG Group, Buzzworks Holdings, Signature Pubs, Montpeliers, Manorview Group, Lisini Pub Co and Caledonian Heritable.

Ms Sturgeon said on Monday that ministers would continue to talk to the hospitality sector.

“We have grant arrangements in place for businesses that are forced to close or have their trading disrupted,” she said.

"We understand how difficult it is. We will continue to liaise with all affected sectors of the economy to see what further support can be provided.

"I recognise that is not possible for government to compensate for every loss that business is suffering during these really difficult times, but we will continue to do our best to make sure that we are providing maximum support.”

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