The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Hotelier left without government support pins hopes on potential new grant scheme
A Moray hotelier turned down for all available government funding is hoping a new grants scheme for the region’s businesses will ensure survival post-lockdown.
Billy Roche, the owner of the Stotfield Hotel in Lossiemouth, has been working hard to survive the Covid-19 crisis despite missing out on government financial aid.
He has welcomed the potential creation of a Moray Council scheme to help businesses that have fallen through the net.
And he is hopeful it may provide the support he has been crying out for amid one missed opportunity after another.
Mr Roche says he has been denied government aid as the hotel’s rateable value – based on the rental value of a property – exceeds the £51,000 threshold. Businesses with rateable values of between £18,001 and £51,000 are eligible for support.
It has been said the hospitality industry will face “three winters in a row” because of the pandemic and Mr Roche said he and others were in need of additional aid.
“It is regrettable we were over the £51,000 rateable value so therefore not eligible for any grant funding,” he said.
“We also haven’t met criteria for the Business and Enterprise fund.
“It seems that with every available opportunity we are ineligible.
“There are many others that have fallen through the same cracks.”
With no grant support to date, ongoing costs and zero income, it is a difficult time, but the potential for a Moray Council scheme has offered hope.
Moray councillors backed an emergency motion calling for the new scheme to be formed at last week’s full council.
Mr Roche said: “It is welcomed that Moray Council is looking to design a scheme.
“We fully appreciate funds are tight during these difficult times.
“As long as everyone pulls together hopefully we will come through the best we can.”
He continued: “We and others are effectively facing three winters in a row with the summer season gone and that is a difficult situation for any tourism and hospitality business.”