Scottish Government urged to rethink restrictions

UKHospitality has led calls from leading hospitality operators for the Scottish Government to adjust the restrictions currently placed on the industry.

Over 60 hospitality bosses have written to the First Minister regarding the tiered system that is “squeezing the remaining life out of the sector”.

The letter calls for a weekly review of the tiered system, financial support for those businesses most affected by tougher restrictions, and the delivery of a business rate waiver and VAT cut throughout 2021 and 2022.

Willie Macleod, executive director at UKHospitality, said: “The restrictions being imposed upon hospitality businesses in Scotland are unfair, unjustified and squeezing the remaining life out of our sector.

“Our sector wants to be at the heart of the Scottish Government’s plans to tackle Covid, by supporting communities socially and economically. Businesses can only do that if they are allowed the flexibility they need to survive.”

The hospitality leaders also questioned the lack of “credible evidence” that has led to closures of establishments in Tier 4, and imminent closures in Tiers 2 and 3. 

Macleod added: “There’s no credible evidence that hospitality is a leading culprit in Covid transmission. Businesses have poured money into venues to make them safe and, overwhelmingly, the public feels confident in the steps that they have taken.”