Douglas Ross has urged the Scottish Government to ensure self-catering and B&B operators are given the funds needed to get through the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Moray MP held a virtual meeting with 120 operators on Tuesday (Jan 26) across the country to hear their concerns about access to financial support.
A week earlier, trade body the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers (ASSC) accused the SNP government of treating the sector with “contempt and neglect” after businesses were told they would not be eligible for a share of £3.3million in extra funding for hospitality firms.
The ASSC said the decision was “illogical” as many restaurants and cafes – who will be eligible– are dependent on the footfall from the self-catering sector.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
"I was very grateful that so many operators from Moray and all over the country took the time to discuss their concerns with me in a virtual meeting.
“Self-catering businesses play a vital role in the tourism sector and wider economy here in Moray.
"They have been badly hit by the pandemic and are currently unable to accept visitor bookings due to ongoing restrictions on travel.
"As things stand, they don't know when they might be able to get back up and running again.
"Many of them are frustrated that they have been made to wait for weeks on end for any news of financial support from the Scottish Government, while others haven't received anything at all.
"I urge Scottish Ministers to ensure that funding is provided - and, crucially, that it is delivered as quickly as possible. The roll-out of business support in Scotland has been painfully slow, and it must improve."