Help available for licensed trade

Sir, The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Society, known as The BEN, is urging people throughout Argyll and Bute who have experience working in the licensed trade but have fallen on hard times to apply for one-off grants as part of their Glass Half Full campaign.

Over the years The BEN has helped a host of beneficiaries from throughout Argyll and Bute for everything from essential bills, refurbishment and household goods to chefs knives and clothes.

The BEN has been providing social, financial and emotional support to members, both current and former, of the licensed trade for over 150 years including regular discretionary payments as well as one-off grants of up to £1,000 for everything from payments for redecoration and clothing to support for essential monthly payments including mortgage, fuel and phone bills, highlighting the importance of this service.

To be eligible for support, applicants must have worked in the licensed trade -incorporating bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, wholesalers plus packaging, production and distribution firms - for at least three years on a full-time basis. The three years do not need to be consecutive.

To find out more about The BEN or to enquire about support, please visit www.bensoc.org.uk or call 0141 353 3596. Chris Gardner, chief executive, the BEN