Distillery boss calls for tax-free break to help them during crisis

The co-founder of premier craft distiller Eden Mill is calling on the government to support distilleries and small businesses with a tax-free period through the coronavirus crisis.

Paul Miller said companies like Eden Mill St Andrews are key to the Scottish economy and tourist industry.

However, he warned that the loss of trade from the UK coronavirus shutdown could be devastating not just now but in the longer term.

“Covid-19 means significant loss in income for distilleries such as ours,” Mr Miller told The Courier.

“We expect to see a 35% loss of turnover with no cash flow from trade in restaurants and bars.

“Exports and duty free are lost to us, so we’ve become reliant on e-commerce and supermarket trade.

“In addition, we’ve had to close our regional Blendworks Gin Schools and tasting experiences which drew large numbers of tourists and visitors.”

Mr Miller said the announcement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week that employees who cannot work will receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month, was welcomed.

However, it came “too late” for Eden Mill, he said, with the difficult decision taken to make redundancies prior to his announcement.

He added: “In order for small businesses such as ours to survive on the other side of this crisis, we need to be on the front foot.

“On March 23, the Scottish Whisky Association called for excise duty to be deferred by six months, which would of course bring much needed instant relief. However, a tax-free period would deliver greater benefit.

“We’d welcome help from the Scottish Government because we need to be in a position to kickstart activity stronger than before.

“Whisky and gin trade is not just an essential part of the Scottish economy, it also attracts tourists to our country.”

Eden Mill St Andrews co-founder Paul Miller is calling on the government to support distilleries through this unprecedented crisis.