Families can head to caravans and lodges
Ayrshire’s caravan parks, holiday cottages and lodges have been given a welcome boost after a probe by the Post.
Last month the Scottish Government admitted caravans “could be occupied without spreading the virus” – but said sites were unlikely to open before July 15.
That’s the date chiefs had pencilled in for our tourism businesses - including pubs, hotels and restaurants - to prepare for a return to trading.
But there had been mounting calls for caravan sites to be allowed to open before then, with many insisting social distancing for those with a holiday home “will be identical to what they do at home”.
And a week after being pressed by the Post the Scottish Government made a stunning U-turn announcing caravan parks, holiday cottages and lodges would re-open THIS Friday.
A lobby of MSPs had joined park bosses demanding answers and South Scotland Conservative politician Brian Whittle said: “There’s a real question about whether they should have to wait as long to reopen. Staying in a hotel or other shared accommodation makes social distancing a challenge but this is less of an issue in private, self-contained accommodation.
“If we get to a point where private caravans and other selfcontained accommodation can open safely ahead of other tourism and hospitality sites, I hope the Scottish Government will seriously consider it.”
South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth added: “Businesses have faced huge financial losses due to this crisis and there is a strong case to be made for a phased re-opening of some caravan parks and self-catering accommodation earlier than July 15.”
Park bosses wrote to MPs and MSPs explaining that holiday parks are ready to reopen with a set of stringent safety and hygiene measures in place.
Their letter highlighted the economic risks of a delayed reopening for the Scottish economy which relies heavily on tourism.
Caravan bosses argued holiday parks and homes are perfect locations for social distancing with self-contained and self-catered accommodation that is at least five metres apart.
In Scotland holiday parks employ 1,618 people and tourism contributes £6bn to the Scottish economy and employs 207,000 people – around 1 in 12 jobs.
There are around 100 caravan parks and campsites in Ayrshire – each of which provide the customer base for numerous other businesses, including local suppliers, shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and visitor attractions.
The Scottish Government told us they appreciated “sectors may wish to move faster and that some caravans could be occupied without spreading the virus” but the spokesperson added the date would not be brought forward.
However after speaking to the Post chiefs announced that selfcontained holiday accommodation - for example holiday cottages, lodges and caravans where there are no shared services - can open from July 3.