MSP makes plea for Highland B&B funding support
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A Highlands and Islands MSP has written to Finance Secretary Kate Forbes asking her to reconsider the Scottish Government decision to exclude many local B&Bs and self-catering businesses from top-up grants worth £6,000.
Scottish Conservative Donald Cameron said that he had been contacted by business owners who have been surprised and disappointed to find that they had been excluded from the payments made through the Strategic Framework Fund.
In his letter, Mr Cameron said: "I write on behalf of several B&B and self-catering businesses from across the Highlands and Islands region who have contacted me to express their immense disappointment at being excluded by the Scottish Government from the Strategic Business Framework Fund’s £6000 top-up grants.
"Many of these businesses were relieved when the fund was first announced, and that small retail, leisure and hospitality businesses would be eligible for a one-off grant of £6000 as well as the four-weekly grant of £2000.
"However, when the details were published, many were surprised to learn that B&B’s and self-catering businesses, among others, were excluded from the top-up funding.
"This support would provide a significant lifeline for many of these small businesses who have struggled throughout the pandemic, and have received little, if any, significant income since the peak tourist season of 2019.
"Many are worried that a lack of further support will put them over the edge, while others are worried about having to take out additional loans."
He added: "As a fellow MSP in this region, I know you will be aware of the importance of this sector for the Highlands and Islands, and therefore I would implore you to consider extending the top-up grant to B&Bs and self-catering accommodation."
Mr Cameron later said: “I very much hope that Kate Forbes listens to this plea for help. If made available, the support would provide a significant lifeline for many small businesses who have struggled through the pandemic, and have received little, if any, significant income since the peak tourist season of 2019.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the hospitality sector to the economy of the Highlands and Islands and, frankly, the Scottish Government has more than enough resources to help it weather this storm.
“These businesses should not be allowed to fail because they fall between the cracks of a scheme that is supposed to help them.”
Individuals and groups from Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector have submitted a 4,200-strong petition to MSPs including Kate Forbes Cabinet Secretary for Finance, calling for “fairness” in their consideration of the position of B&Bs, guest houses and other non-domestic rated accommodation businesses across the country.
To sign the petition visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/fairness-for-scottish-hospitality-accommodation-sector
