Pleas for rethink on food and drink curbs
Some of the best-known figures from Scotland’ s food and drink scene have joined forces to plead for urgent financial support from Westminster and Holyrood amid warnings up to 100,000 jobs are at risk from the current coronavirus curbs.
Michel in-star rated chef Tom Kitchin, James Thomson, owner of Prestonfield House and The Witchery in Edinburgh, Carina Contini, owner of restaurants overlooking Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle, and Nic Wood, owner of the Signature Pub Group say time is running out to avoid mass redundancies.
They have also raised concerns that the health and wellbeing of their workers is being put at risk by the latest restrictions.
The industry figureheads have spoken out as part of a“Save Our Jobs” campaign being mounted by the Scottish hospitality industry to raise awareness of the impact of the ongo - ing restrictions on hotels, bars and restaurants, particularly in the central belt, where they have been ordered to remain closed until 2 November.
The Scottish Government is being urge to“practical, evidence based solutions” to allow businesses to keep trading while allowing staff and customer store main safe.
Mr Kitchin, one of the country’s best-known chefs since opening his Leith restaurant opposite the headquarters of the Scottish Government, said: “We’re in really challenging times as an industry and now is the time to act.
“The impact this situation is having not just on Scottish hospitality but also on our supply chain is enormous."