Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged Scottish Ministers to reconsider an “unfair” decision to exclude self-catering businesses from top-up grants made available to the rest of the hospitality sector.
The trade body representing self-catering businesses across the country, the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers (ASSC) has condemned the decision as “part of a pattern of contempt and neglect” shown by the SNP government.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes made an extra £3.3million available to hospitality businesses last week – but self-caterers have been told they are not eligible for the support.
The ASSC has said the decision is “illogical” as many restaurants and cafes – who will be eligible– are dependent on the football from the self-catering sector.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“Self-catering businesses play a vital role in the tourism sector and wider economy here in Moray.
“I am at a loss to understand why they have been deemed ineligible for this funding.
“All of mainland Scotland is stuck in level four restrictions, with no travel allowed within Scotland and no visitors allowed to travel here from other countries
“If they cannot take any bookings, then these businesses are clearly going to be suffering losses, just like the rest of the hospitality trade.
“SNP Ministers must reconsider this unfair decision to exclude the self-catering sector.
“A failure to do so will put more businesses at risk of closure. That is last thing that this area needs at a time when we should be focusing on how to rebuild our economy after Covid.”