The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Light at end of tunnel’ for hospitality industry
DELIGHTED: North Queensferry restaurateurs Craig and Vikki Wood; Glenn Roach, chef/director at Taypark House in Dundee, top right; and STA chief executive Marc Crothall.
Local business owners have been giving their reaction as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed bars, restaurants and cafes can begin reopening on April 26.
Hospitality in Scotland will be permitted to reopen from late next month as the country makes its first steps out of coronavirus lockdown.
The first minister announced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday that businesses will be allowed to serve alcohol outdoors from April 26 with a limited service likely to be permitted indoors, although only for the sale of food without any alcoholic drinks allowed.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The hospitality sector will begin to reopen from April 26. From that date cafes, restaurants and bars will be able to serve people outdoors in groups of up to six from three households until 10pm, alcohol will be permitted and there will be no requirement for food to be served.
“We also hope that, although this in particular depends on continued suppression of the virus, that there will be limited indoor opening of hospitality from April 26, too, limited initially to the service of food and nonalcoholic drinks until 8pm and with groups of up to four people from no more than two households.
“Premises will need to retain guests’ contact details for three weeks after their visit.”
The first minister does not expect any further changes to be made after that period for three weeks until May 17 as she stressed a need for “careful monitoring”.
However, Ms Sturgeon stressed that, from May 17, she expects all areas in Level 3 to move to Level 2 with indoor hospitality returning to “greater normality”, but precise details will depend on how things have progressed in the intervening period.
The first minister added that there is also likely to be a requirement for people to book slots of, perhaps, two hours to visit premises selling alcohol.
Glenn Roach, chef/ director at Taypark House Hotel on Dundee’s Perth Road was delighted to hear he can now start planning to reopen his venue.
“When the first announcement back in December came it was a very, very dark day and I think it really is now the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I think now about looking positives and it is all for the today’s announcement was definitely positive and gives us that date that we can work towards,” he said.
“At least now we can start planning staffing-wise and whatever we want to do. Just a great day for the hospitality industry.”
However, he said that operators in the hospitality sector must remain on alert and attentive to safety as reopening begins.
Glenn added: “We need to remain cautious, that’s not a bad thing, because who wants to go back into another lockdown?”
Vikki Wood, who, along with her husband Craig, runs The Wee Restaurant in North Queensferry, was pleased that they will be able to open for a dinner service – although would have preferred a longer opening time initially.
“We normally open at 6pm but we will open at 5pm, then we are putting people in much quicker and everyone tends to want to all leave at 8pm, so we will have to manage that,” she said.
But Vikki warned that the government should be ready for an increase in cases of Covid-19 as the country begins to open again – and not be panicked into another lockdown.
Julia Sim, head of sales at Blair Castle Estate, near Blair Atholl, said: “It has been a very challenging year in our industry and to be able to welcome people back to the castle, caravan park and estate is something we are very much looking forward to.”
Rosie Jack, of Bowhouse Market, said they were looking forward to welcoming visitors with the return of holidaymakers, particularly welcome, adding: “The statement today was definitely a step in the right direction.”
Ruth Robinson of The Dory, Pittenweem, added: “Overall, we are glad to have somewhat firm dates.
“I am disappointed about the restrictions on alcohol and opening hours between April 26 and May 16 as we have no outside seating.”
Will Docker, of Balgove Larder, said: “At Balgove Larder we’re really lucky to have the large, flexible outdoor seating areas that we can expand so the easing of restrictions around this are very welcome.”
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, added: “(The) announcement will offer some very much needed light at the end of what has been the darkest tunnel for our industry.
“We are committed to working in a safe and professional manner to minimise risk.”
A Montrose tearoom owner has hit out at lockdown support funding after missing out on a £6,000 payment.
Jane Watson, 55, said she was unaware of a top-up scheme designed to help those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and, therefore, missed the deadline to access the extra cash.
She has been receiving monthly support from the Scottish Government after applying to the Strategic Framework Business Fund last March.
The disappointed Jane’s Tearoom owner said: “£6,000 is a lot of money when you sell cups of tea for £2.”
She said she found out about the additional top-up funding from a friend in the middle of February but had already missed the cut off date for the “complicated” system.
The single mum-of-four said: “It has been a minefield. Many businesses in Angus may be relying on this top-up funding due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
“I received the first grant provided to all businesses back in 2020 when the pandemic first hit but, since then, I have been unable to qualify for further support.
“However, I was messaged by a fellow business owner on February 16 informing me of a top-up grant and monthly payment. It was not a simple find but I found it and applied but I was too late.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the Strategic Framework Business Fund remains open, adding: “Eligible businesses that apply now will have their payments backdated to January 1, 2021.”
The leader of Angus Council has offered his resignation after a second member of his administration walked out over its “unhealthy culture”.
Council leader David Fairweather said the remaining members of the ruling group would now meet to consider his future.
The group has been left reeling after Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor Ben Lawrie, Liberal Democrat, became the second member to walk away in only two days, citing problems with behaviour in the top team.
His resignation followed that of Arbroath East and Lunan councillor Lois Speed, Independent, who quit on Monday.
She said there was an “unhealthy culture” among the ruling group.
Mr Lawrie, a mental health campaigner and his party’s candidate for Angus South in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections, said: “Councillor Speed felt isolated and shouted down for standing up for what she believes in.”
Independent councillor Mr Fairweather, Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim, said: “I am absolutely devastated that I have lost two young, ambitious councillors.
“Given this has happened on my watch, I also believe it’s only right I give the other members of the administration the opportunity of my offer of resignation.
“To see if they want me to continue as their leader.”
Mr Fairweather said on Monday that he did not recognise the claims of an “unhealthy culture” within his administration.
He added: “I was asked yesterday if the departure of Councillor Speed, and now Councillor Lawrie, could be election focused.
“Given the success they have both had within the
administration, it would be sad if this just turns out to be political manoeuvres.
“I wish them both all the best.”
Mr Lawrie issued a statement explaining his decision to resign from the ruling group yesterday.
He said: “It is with regret that I have handed in my resignation as a member of the Angus Council administration.
“Having read Councillor Speed’s resignation and reflected on the concerns she has raised, I believe there were times when Councillor Speed felt isolated and shouted down for standing up for what she believes in, often disproportionately when compared with the treatment of other elected members.”
Mr Lawrie said he valued cross party co-operation and working with people of different views on areas of common interest.
“However, if Councillor Speed believes there is an unhealthy culture in the administration to the extent that she can no longer participate, then that is not a culture or an administration that I can be a part of.
“I will continue to represent my constituents in Monifieth and Sidlaw and will work constructively with other elected members to achieve our shared aims,” he added.
It is understood tensions spilled over between Ms Speed and her former administration colleagues after she backed an opposition amendment during the council’s budget-setting meeting earlier this month.
Ms Speed backed SNP Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor Sheila Hands’ ultimately unsuccessful plans to spend £500,000 Covid-19 contingency funding to help lookedafter children and on a community resilience fund.
One source close to the councillors said the “aggressive” fallout from the budget meeting had highlighted a “toxic culture” perpetuated by a small group of councillors at the heart of the ruling group.