November 2020 - Page 4 of 8

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Melanie Allen

Scottish Government has issued the following Guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist.

Frequently asked questions

These questions and answers are aimed at providing further clarity to sector businesses following publication of Scottish Government sectoral guidance, and subsequent statutory guidance and additional measures for the hospitality sector, including those as a result of Scotland’s Strategic Framework. It is not separate to government guidance but designed to complement it and further the understanding of what businesses need to consider and do to ensure they are operating safely and within the legal requirements.

As we move through Scotland’sRoute Map, guidance is having to be regularly reviewed and updated. Government does not want to keep restrictions in place a moment longer than is necessary, but safety must come first. Businesses are therefore requested to maintain the excellent work that has been undertaken so far and to continue working with authorities to build on that progress.

We have prepared this in cooperation with Environmental Health Officers and industry. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

Strategic Framework Levels Based Approach – from 2 November 2020

Read the full FAQs Here

COVID-19 TOURISM INDUSTRY SURVEY

Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by Melanie Allen

The Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) is conducting research with tourism businesses to monitor the effects of COVID-19 on our industry via an online survey.

The aim of this research is to proactively track the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Scottish tourism industry and provide STERG with insightful information about your current and future support needs.

The survey is open to anyone that runs a tourism business i.e. those with paying customers, and those from wider tourism industry suppliers.

The Survey will close on 6 December 2020 and is completely anonymous.

Complete the Survey Here

We’re aware there are several surveys being conducted at the moment and that you may have taken part in many of them. The STERG would be incredibly grateful if you would take around 10 minutes of your time to complete this new survey. I can’t stress how important it is that we have as many businesses as possible take part.

It allows us to see not only the overall impact on Scottish tourism, but also the impact it is having across different regions and business sectors, so that we can consider how best to support you going forward. Top line results will be made available on VisitScotland.org in December.

Recovery will require our collective efforts and we must act as one to ensure the best possible outcomes for the whole of the visitor economy. Our job is to identify the opportunities to help the industry bounce back as quickly as possible.

Thank you in advance for your support during what we know is a very difficult time.

Kind regards
Riddell Graham
Chair of STERG

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework Business Fund

Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by Fiona Campbell

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework Business Fund

These grants form a new package of support to help businesses closed or impacted by coronavirus protective measures.

Local authorities will administer the grants and will be responsible for delivering the funding to eligible businesses. The Scottish Government will fund local authorities to make these payments, providing information on funding levels and periods each time levels change.

Application forms are available on individual council websites and should be filled in on-line and submitted through the council’s website (if available) or returned to councils by e-mail only.

Applications can be made up to 31 March 2021.

There are two funds available:

Business temporary closure fund

The temporary closure grant will offer business required to close by law:

£2,000 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £51,000
or £3,000 for premises which have a rateable value of £51,001 or above

The grant is payable for every four weeks for the duration the protective measures to close the business apply.

The rateable value of the property is considered to be as per local authority records at 1 November 2020.

Multiple properties: an upper limit of £15,000 in total in any four-week period will apply to any eligible business operating multiple premises, and subject to compliance with EC State Aid Limits (see below for more on EC State aid limits).

Business restrictions fund

The restrictions fund grant will offer businesses specifically required to modify their operations by protective measures, as specified by law:

£1,400 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £51,000
Or £2,100 for premises have a rateable value of £51,001 or above

The grant is payable for every four weeks for the duration the protective measures to close the business apply.

The rateable value of the property is considered to be as per local authority records at 1 November 2020.

Multiple properties: an upper limit of £10,500 in total in any four-week period will apply to any eligible business operating multiple premises, and subject to compliance with EC State Aid limits (see below for more information).

To Find Out if You are Eligible – Read More Here