RULES ARE ‘ UNCLEAR’ INSIST CITY COMPANIES
GLASGOW bu s i ne s s owners subjected to Level Four restrictions this week claim the new rules remain unclear for certain areas of the hospitality sector.
Yesterday it was announced that Greater Glasgow would be face further measures to tackle coronavirus from this Friday which meant cafes, unessential shops and gyms would close for three weeks.
But the rules aren’t clear for people like Lucy Fleming of Busy Bees Catering who is still trying to establish what they mean.
She said: “There has been no mention of mobile catering companies. We have been in touch with environmental health to ask for advice, but they didn’t know how this would affect us.
“It’s a new thing moving into level four, but we didn’t want to wait to find out what that actually meant for us. Their position seemed to be that the Scottish Government are creating a policy so it would be best to speak to them.
“We have also contacted the Scottish Government ahead of the announcement, but we still haven’t received a response.
“This isn’t fair as we don’t know if we can operate. But it is the fact that we are not named at all and don’t want to take any chances. We don’t know what implication it will have for us.
“We could stop but what do we do if we find out that we are legally not required to and therefore not entitled to help or funding from the Scottish Government.
“We don’t feel comfortable accepting new bookings as we don’t know what is going to happen or whether they are allowed or not.”
Ms Fleming also has a small café in an office space in the city centre which has been closed since March.
The latest round of restrictions mean it will remain shut with staff actively being encouraged to work from home.
She added: “I have been back and forth asking for business support and have still had no response. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere to go to ask for help.
“Being within a service office space, the footfall is dependent on people working from an office which is not really happening right now. Like a hairdresser’s chair, we rent the space.
“With everyone being in tier four that businesses is essentially dormant. We have still got staff on furlough because I didn’t want to shut the businesses. There is absolutely nothing coming in.”
The owners of Xero Sugar, a specialist food retailer which officially launched two months ago have described the news as devastating.
Andy Clark said: “We are absolutely devastated by the news of the three- week closure. We are only eight weeks old as a business, and we have just started to feel the Christmas rush, now we will only have 13 days to try and hit our targets for Christmas.
“We don’t have enough funds to furlough staff, that’s even if we were allowed to put people on furlough. Is there any kind of help for new businesses?”
Breahead Shopping Centre confirmed that it would be following the Scottish Government’s new riles and with only essential shops remaining open until 6pm.
Peter Beagley, Braehead centre director, said: “In line with what the Government has decided, our stores will trade normally until that time. Some of our cafes and restaurants will also be able to provide a carry- out service. Braehead plays an important role in the local community and we will continue to provide access through the centre to vital services such as supermarkets and pharmacies.
“Braehead is a safe place to visit, as we have measures in place that are in line with Scottish Government guidelines.
“These include limiting the amount of shoppers in the centre at a time; automatic hand sanitisers throughout the centre; social distancing; a one- way system for getting around the centre and enhanced cleaning regimes along
with visitors and staff wearing face coverings that protect everyone in the current coronavirus pandemic.
“We would ask visitors to check with the opening hours of the particular essential stores they plan to visit at Braehead.”
The chief executive of Glasgow’s Chamber of Commerce has branded the outcome of yesterday’s announcement from the First Minister as devastating.
With almost 80,000 jobs back in suspension in the city alone, many businesses won’t be able to build up their reserves over the Christmas period to survive the winter months ahead.