Business leaders urge details
BUSINESS leaders called for greater detail on lockdown lifting to allow planning for re-opening and for the timetable to be speeded up if possible.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland policy chair Andrew McRae welcomed “indicative, early” dates being set out.
He said: “The gaps between these dates, at three weeks, are lengthy.
“We now need the detail about what economic activity can resume under the different levels, so that businesses can begin to plan.
“As winter turns to spring and more people are vaccinated, the Scottish Government must continually review whether this timetable can be accelerated, travel restrictions can be lifted and restrictions on local economies can be eased.”
Publicans said that the return to the tier system in April will not be enough to allow many to re-open.
Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said: “While it is encouraging that our sector can hopefully reopen from the end of April, we are concerned that a return to the previous tiered system will lead many operators to decide that such restrictive reopening conditions are simply not worth the time, effort and money involved.
“However, our response to today’s announcement is one of disappointment for the licensed hospitality industry which has been among the hardest hit by trading restrictions throughout the pandemic, an industry that invested an estimated £80 million on becoming Covid compliant.”
James Calder , chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, said:“While it is welcome pubs may be able to start to reopen in Scotland from the end of April, the tier system made it impossible for businesses to trade, with alcohol sales banned in level three and restrictions with a meal at level two along with curfews.
“Indicatively it looks like all of Scotland will move into level three from April 26, making it impossible for any brewery to trade with pubs. If these restrictions remain as they are, most pubs will have been unable to trade in Scotland for eight months.”
Retail bosses were hopeful that stores will be open soon.
Peter Beagley, Braehead shopping centre director, said: “It’s good the Scottish Government has now set down a plan for the re-opening of non-essential retail.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming back customers to our non-essential retail shops, who can operate a clickand-collect service from early April and with these stores fully re-opening later that month.”
PREPARATION to tear an “eyesore” pub to the ground is officially well under way.
Developers were pictured at the site of the former Talisman pub in Springburn this afternoon.
It comes shortly after officers at Glasgow City Council recently agreed to explore a compulsory purchase order on the
land, which had been lying derelict for over two decades.
The local authority faced years of pressure from the community to take action over the grounds, which they described as a “visual and environmental blight”.
Springburn/Robroyston man Graham Campbell said: “I’m so excited that the pressure we put on the
owners, working alongside locals these last six years, has finally paid off. The Talisman is coming down as promised, and it’s about time.”
Currently, it is unclear will happen to the land. Former owner Mr Mirza had been granted planning permission to create a retail centre but proposals had been stalled.
A MAN caught when police raided a cannabis factory was yesterday jailed for 45 months.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that 31-year-old Bin Chen appeared in court in 2016 and admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis at premises on Argyle Street on April 14, 2015.
He was granted bail and failed to turn up for sentence.
Chen, a Chinese national, who is in the UK illegally, was finally caught on December 24, last year.
Defence counsel Mark Moir said: “Mr Chen was in the country illegally living with his partner in England.
“He was given large quantities of cannabis and then repackaging them.”
The court was told that the street value of the cannabis was between £130,000 and £250,000.
When police raided the premises they found the cannabis piled up in the bathroom. Efforts had been made to mask the pungent smell with two scented candles.
Mr Moir added: “The immigration authorities are interested in him after his jail sentence.”
Judge Lord Matthews said: “The court has to take seriously dealing in controlled drugs and with a relatively large value.”
Chen showed no emotion as he was led away.