UKHospitality Scotland says Holyrood must urgently consider further financial support for hospitality businesses still facing crippling restrictions if the Scottish government doesn’t stick to the time-frame in its strategic framework and move to level zero by June 28th. The call follows UK prime minister Boris Johnson delaying England’s lockdown ‘freedom day’ by four weeks, from June 21st to July 19th.
Said UKHospitality Scotland executive director Leon Thompson (pictured), “It is vital the Scottish government understands how important it is to achieve level zero by the date of 28 June. Progress to remove restrictions will help hospitality businesses continue to move to improved trading and back towards viability. Hospitality businesses may look busy but most continue to trade at a loss adding to the debt burden built up over 15 months of closure and restricted opening.”
UKHospitality Scotland is also calling for an announcement on the details on what life will look like after level zero, as well as the review of physical distancing that had been promised last week.
Thompson said. “Level zero is not the end and there will still be significant restrictions on hospitality. Without details of what happens after level zero and the physical distancing review, businesses cannot begin to plan for the future. Ultimately, hospitality needs the removal of all restrictions as quickly as possible. In the absence of this, the Scottish government must urgently consider what financial support it will provide to support hospitality businesses.”