SkyeConnect and the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is to provide much needed financial support to B&Bs and Self-Caterers paying Council Tax.

The move follows a concerted lobbying campaign by industry bodies to persuade the Government to recognise this vital sector. Thousands of B&B’s paying Council Tax have so far been excluded from all support funds with many enduring a whole year with no income.

Clare Winskill is a Director of both SkyeConnect and the ASSC and has spent months pressing the case for the B&B sector to be supported. Clare says the campaign could not have been successful without the willingness of individual family businesses to share their financial plight.

“I would like to thank the B&Bs and Self-Caterers on Skye who have stayed in touch on this important issue. The information you give us informs our lobbying on your behalf and has helped us contribute to the necessary changes in the eligibility criteria. Your businesses are worth tens of millions of pounds in revenue to the Skye economy alone. We are grateful to the Scottish Ministers for their support and the reassurance, in particular, from the First Minister that these important businesses will now be supported. B&Bs and Self Caterers paying Council Tax have been last in the queue for support, some waiting an entire year. They will play a crucial role in the recovery of the tourism economy on Skye.”

These sentiments have also been echoed by Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers.

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has chosen to make these business support funds available to us. This announcement comes as a massive relief to the thousands of hard-working self-caterers, B&B and other hospitality businesses, across Scotland who have felt the brunt of this awful pandemic but have too often missed out on vital funding. Scottish Government ministers are to be congratulated on this decision through their constructive engagement with industry. Upon receipt into operator bank accounts, it will help safeguard more jobs and ensure the future of Scottish tourism as we plan ahead to reopening the sector at some point in the future, when data allows. We look forward to this money reaching those who desperately need it across the country, and they should know that the ASSC will always be there to help them in whatever way we can.”

Interviews with Clare and Fiona are available on request.

ACCESS THE FUND INFORMATION HERE – https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/support-for-small-accommodation-providers-paying-council-tax-fund

Simon Cousins 

simon@simoncousinsmedia.co.uk 

07850 71511