Mixed reaction to Sturgeon’s route map out of lockdown

SHOPPERS and traders across Tayside and Fife were left largely disappointed as the First Minister unveiled a cautious road map out of lockdown.

The Scottish government’s framework, which suggests nonessential retailers might begin to re-open at the end of April, has been criticised for lacking clarity.

Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that all of Scotland could move down to level three on April 26, following a phased reopening of schools, with all pupils back in classrooms and stay at home orders lifted by April 5.

Scotland’s plan comes a day after Boris Johnson set out England’s proposed route out of all restrictions by June 21.

Reaction to Ms Sturgeon’s plans was lukewarm in Dundee, although some said they understood the need for a cautious approach.

Mhairi McDermott, who owns women’s clothing store Lulu & M in Broughty Ferry, said: “I think it’s disappointing that we’re not going to open earlier but we’ve got no choice really.

“We’re just trying to stay positive about it.”

Matthew Marra, of Assai Records on Union Street, said: “Obviously, we are feeling much the same as everyone else.

“It’s not ideal but we do understand that we have to come out of lockdown in a cautious way.”

Dundee student Martin Paule, 20, labelled the plan “somewhere between too cautious and just okay”.

He said: “It could be sooner, for example stuff where you just grab something and leave could open before places where you sit in and eat.”

Steuart Merchant, a 74-year-old from Linlathen, agreed.

He said: “I wish the hairdresser would maybe open, and the pubs too. I actually thought the pubs were quite safe, safer than the supermarket.

“I do understand the cautiousness though - I think it’s okay. Boris has maybe been a bit too ambitious down south.”

But John Stewart, managing director at Hays Travel, was far more upbeat.

He said: “We are very, very happy with what we have seen immediately after both the First Minister’s and Prime Minister’s announcements this week.

“It would seem there’s an uplift in interest on new holidays, and as for those who have had their plans impacted by April and May’s delays, approximately 70% have gone on to rebook at the same time next year or later this year.”

Asked about the First Minister’s comments on international travel being ‘highly unlikely’ this summer, the director added: “We’re not worried, it’ll happen when it’s right and proper.

“Our customers are now a lot more confident about the future, we really have seen a huge upturn in our consumer confidence.

“I’ve actually had to increase our staff to deal with new demand, we trebled our numbers this week and I’ve pulled in some staff to work on Sunday as well.

“I think that the rise in enquires has come from both the UK Government’s announcements on Monday and the Scottish Government’s today.

“What’s for sure is that we are back smiling now, booking holidays and supporting our customers.”

Evelyn Hardie, who runs Sandford Country Cottages, a selfcatering holiday accommodation business near Wormit, was among those criticising the pace of change and scarcity of detail from Holyrood.

She said: “I’m very disappointed and frustrated as it doesn’t help us plan in any way for the next few months.

“If we had some dates to work towards it would have been a big help.”

Sandford had customers booked for April and Ms Hardie had hoped to be able to welcome some guests towards the end of that month.

She added: “I don’t feel the Scottish government have any idea how small businesses in Scotland operate. We have had very little support overall, and were deliberately excluded, as a selfcatering business, from the top up grants announced in December.

“Our business is our only source of income and it really makes you wonder why you carry on.”

Huw Davis, who runs Strength Lab CrossFit in Kirkcaldy, said: “It’s frustrating that it is to go on for longer.”

Mr Davis highlighted the latest data from industry association UK Active, indicating that there were just 1.7 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 gym visits.

He said: “I understand there needs to be roadmap out of it but we’re told that vaccinations are the way out of it and that’s happening yet we’re still being held back.”

He added that if Scotland had followed the UK Government’s lead and allowed outdoor exercise to resume at the end of March, that would have allowed the gym to plan more activities for members.

Vicki Unite, chief executive of the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The health of the nation is paramount and we support the efforts of everyone working towards getting the virus under control.”

“Many of our members are frustrated that they can’t restart their business from an earlier date and they will feel that contingency measures, a great deal of which are ready to be put in place and created with safety in mind, don’t seem to have been taken into account.

“It is particularly hard on hospitality, retail and the personal service sector and we hope that these and other areas which are really struggling will receive enhanced financial support.”