The Scottish tourism industry has been said to be at "at risk of total collapse” amid warnings firms which are the lifeblood of the sector will fail without immediate cash support.
Industry body the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has said this morning that there are more than 2,500 tourism businesses which are receiving no grant support from government as the scale of struggle to keep the local economies afloat becomes apparent. .
READ MORE: It also warned a “stark number” of businesses are being turned down for hardship and others grants.
A group of up and coming independent Scotch whisky distillers have joined forces to stake their claim for a 12-month break from business rates to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Figures across the Scottish hospitality trade have warned thousands of pubs and restaurants will be not be financially viable as they face being forced to reopen at significantly reduced capacity.
As ways of tackling the crisis in the long terms are formulated, proposals have been put together for the construction of a £1 million glass house over a section of Argyle Street in Glasgow’s West End that would allow adjacent bars and restaurants to re-open under social distancing measures.
ICYMI last evening: Glass house plans to rescue #Finnieston pubs and restaurants...https://t.co/hkGlyZFv6W pic.twitter.com/VUQPnubXkz
— Kristy Dorsey (@KristyDorsey) May 22, 2020
Meanwhile, an Aberdeen-based hospitality group has signalled its determination to bounce back “even mightier” after securing funds to tide it over the lockdown.
READ MORE: The McGinty’s Group, which has nine venues in the Granite City, has secured a six-figure funding deal under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The loan, provided by Royal Bank of Scotland, will allow the business to safeguard jobs, premises and to pay suppliers.
Also this week, Danny O’Neil retired as chairman of Glasgow-based plant, tool and equipment-hire company GAP Group after 14 years, having played a key part in its diversification and growth.
A landmark listed property in Glasgow city centre built at the height of the Victorian era put on the market this week with a price tag of more than £3 million, with potential for a hotel cited as one possible redevelopment opportunity.
Landmark #Glasgow property built in Victorian era up for sale, with #hotel potential flagged .@heraldscotland https://t.co/oldeZFtPHD
— Ian McConnell (@ianmcconnellHT) May 21, 2020
Ian McConnell: Bad economic omens in Michael Gove ‘philosophy’ on European Union and Priti Patel immigration outlook
Scott Wright: Woes at David Urquhart show depth of challenge facing Scottish tourism
Mark Williamson: Should accountancy giants cut fees amid coronavirus crisis?
Kristy Dorsey: Coronavirus: concern spreads for future of Scottish global exports
Monday Interview: Hotel boss: Holidays will feel like 1970s after lockdown
SME Focus: Edinburgh renewable energy pioneer sees potential in former coal mines
And finally ... Plans for huge new £20m Edinburgh brewery were lodged this week
'We are currently trialling this across Glasgow and Edinburgh but this will be expanded in the coming days to include more postcodes once we are certain that service levels can be met.' @IandGDougal @innisandgunn https://t.co/pStbmPeXYK
— Brian Donnelly (@BrianDonnellyHT) May 21, 2020
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