The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has said that licensees in Scotland are now facing tougher restrictions and a higher negative business impact than any other part of the UK because of the curtailment of longer and more flexible hours normally available for operators in Scotland.
SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson (pictured) said. “The Scottish trade is losing more trading hours per day than any other country in the UK – with the staggered closing times we have in Scotland this is anything from between two and five hours per day.
“Other parts of the UK do not have the same flexibility in opening hours.”
“The supposedly joined-up thinking of the UK governments on restricting hours is farcical following the announcement that a closing time of 11pm will be imposed in Northern Ireland from Wednesday which follows the announcement last week that pubs and bars in Wales would close at 10.30pm.”
He also said that despite licensees investing heavily in training and social distancing measures to rebuild customer confidence, the Scottish government has “disproportionately targeted our industry yet again with devastating consequences for businesses and the jobs that they provide.”
He cited that the science behind the restrictions and data from the recent Weekly Surveillance Report from Public Health England recorded that just 5.18% of cases came from food outlet/restaurant settings since pubs reopened and only 2.85% the week before 10 pm curfews were announced.
Said Colin, “No wonder the sector fails to understand why these new restrictions were introduced and the SLTA repeats its call for the Scottish Government to provide information on the “R” rate and the non-compliance rate stemming from the Scottish pub, bar and restaurant sector.
“In light of what we have seen with other outbreaks in recent days, in England it is reported that educational settings recorded 44.17% of cases the week before the restrictions were put in place there, it must surely be safer to be in the heavily regulated and controlled environment of our pubs, bars and restaurants rather than “household” type settings which the First Minister of Scotland has identified as a key driver of the infection rate.
“Just a thought, if these restrictions are about curtailing movement, then why not introduce a proper curfew where entry to our pubs and bars ceases at a given time allowing for a gradual more controlled dispersal of customers later in the evening”
The expectation that pub beer gardens would be open in Scotland from this week has been dashed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today (18th June). She moved Scotland into Phase 2 but has not given the go-ahead for the opening of pub beer gardens and outdoor hospitality areas. This decision is set to be reviewed on, or around, 2nd July.
The First Minister said in her statement, “Another change that was envisaged on the route map for Phase 2 was the re-opening of outdoor hospitality areas such as beer gardens. Unfortunately, I am not able to give a date for that just yet. We may be able to set a date later that is still within stage 2 and I have commissioned further advice from our scientific advisory group to inform this decision.”
She added, “There is emerging evidence that places like pubs, restaurant and gyms can be hotspots for transmission. It is really important that we better understand this evidence and what further mitigation is necessary to protect people in such places before we permit them to re-open.
“I appreciate this will be hard for the hospitality industry. I want to give assurances to businesses in that sector that we will continue to support preparations for re-opening such as encouraging local authorities to facilitate the use of open outdoor spaces that pubs and restaurants can use for additional spaces.
“I expect to have this further scientific advice in two weeks and I will set out then hopefully around 2nd July whether outdoor hospitality can re-open during phase 2 which I hope will be the case or further mitigations will be required ahead of Phase 3.”
SLTA managing director, Colin Wilkinson said, “The First Minister’s announcement today is a bitter blow for Scotland’s hospitality sector, which expected to be able to now kick-start the rebuilding of the industry.
“With the decision now delayed until July 2, operators face another anxious period for the survival of their businesses. This may also have a knock-on effect for the reopening of indoor areas, originally planned – all being well – for July 15.
Colin Barr, the owner of Glasgow’s Bier Halle reflected the feeling of many licensees with outdoor areas, “We are all feeling a bit deflated – we thought we would get open this week. It is especially disappointing because we have nice weather at the moment. I really hope everyone follows the protocols and the transmission rate keeps going down which will allow us to get open at the next review date or sooner. ”
Emma McClarkin CEO of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said, “Pubs and bars across Scotland will be somewhat disappointed by this announcement, with many expecting to be given a definitive date today for re-opening their outdoor space to allow them to start preparing to open again. That’s sadly not the case, with these businesses now having to wait a further two weeks before any clarity on when they can welcome back their customers into beer gardens and other outdoor areas.
“While the re-opening of outdoor space would provide some relief to parts of our sector, the vast majority of pubs will be looking towards the 15th July for the full re-opening. Even then, there remains issues for our sector that need to be addressed to properly unlock the economic boost our pubs can contribute to the national economy.”
The First Minister also broached the subject of the 2m versus 1m social distancing debate and said, “I will not change this guidance without religious consideration and appropriate reassurance.”
She revealed that she had asked her scientific advisors to review whether in particular settings or circumstances, with additional mitigations if required, it might be possible in future to recommend a distance of 1 or 1.5m. She hopes to have this advice in two weeks too.
Said Emma McClarkin, “Continuing to operate at a two-metre social distance will make opening financially unviable for many and could result in over 23,600 job losses in our sector alone. A survey of our members shows that moving to the World Health Organisation backed one-metre distance that many other countries have adopted would allow the majority of premises to safely open their doors again.”
The hospitality industry now has a provisional re-opening date of 15th July. Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing revealed the date in parliament today. He qualified the statement by saying it would not be confirmed until 9th July when the country would be expected to be moving into the third phase of the Scottish Government lockdown route-map.
Pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels could open for businesses on the July 15th if all goes to plan, but it is very much dependent on the public health advice which would reflect infection figures.
The Minister said, “I would encourage hotels and hospitality businesses to prepare for a provisional return to trading – with appropriate safety guidelines – on the 15th July 2020.” He continued, “This is not a guarantee, and we may have to change that date. But by setting out the date we hope to have given the sector greater clarity.
“This date cannot be definitive and is conditional on public health advice and progression to Phase 3 of the route map. Businesses must now use this time to satisfy the necessary regulations and adapt to the new way of living.”
The setting of a potential date for opening was welcomed by various industry bodies including the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, UKHospitality, SLTA and the STA but all warned that the current social distance measure of 2m, which is still the rule, will mean that some businesses will not be able to open, if that sticks until the 15th July.
Emma McClarkin CEO of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association said, “The setting of a date for reopening is some positive news for the country’s pubs and brewers, and something we have been pushing the Scottish Government on for several weeks. This gives some much-needed clarity for the sector and will also give industry the time necessary to put in place what is needed to reopen safely on the 15th of July.
“However, there is still a number of challenges for pubs that can’t be forgotten. Under the current two-metre social distancing rules, we believe up to two-thirds of Scotland’s pubs will need to remain closed. It is imperative for the hospitality sector that the Scottish Government explores the World Health Organisation’s suggested one-metre rule for social distancing.
‘Other countries, like New Zealand have allowed their pubs to safely re-open up at one-metre distance. If this was followed in Scotland, we could save thousands of jobs which otherwise will be lost through redundancies.”
Colin Wilkinson, Managing Director of the SLTA, said, “This indicative date is an important step to a return to some sort of normality, but the main question now is what the social-distancing parameters will be.
“The SLTA and other industry bodies have asked the Scottish Government to give serious consideration to reducing the current two-metre parameter as we have seen in other countries and to bring the level in line with the World Health Organisation.
“If the current distancing measures are maintained, normal capacities could be reduced by between 60% and 80%, and each business will need to assess the practicalities, cost and viability of complying with the new guidance.”
UKHospitality Executive Director for Scotland, Willie Macleod said, “It’s good to have some clarity from the Scottish Government and a real sense that we are moving towards the reopening of hospitality and tourism businesses. Recognising that there may be a need to change dates and timing in the interests of health and safety, it will take time, weeks in some cases, for businesses to get back in working order, communicate with customers, handle bookings, arrange staffing and order supplies, so this lead-time is very helpful.”
While Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the representative body for tourism businesses in Scotland said, “The Cabinet Secretary’s announcement that the majority of tourism businesses can reopen on 15th July this afternoon marks a hugely positive milestone in our road to recovery in what has been an exceptionally dark few days and indeed weeks for Scotland’s tourism industry.
The STA has pushed hard for an indicative date to be given to allow accommodation providers, visitor attractions, pubs and restaurants to plan effectively, accept bookings, make arrangements for the return of their staff from furlough, conduct training and most importantly ensure that all safety protocols are in place to provide their employees and the public the confidence and reassurance they need to feel safe to return.
He continued, “One of the most frequent questions we have been asked is around the publication of guidance for reopening; it will offer huge reassurance to tourism businesses that this will be available in the coming days, giving them a full month to plan ahead to welcome visitors back into businesses across all sectors of our industry.
However, he added, “It remains the case that urgent solutions or alternative measures must be found or taken to overcome the current 2-metre distancing restrictions to enable economic viability for many businesses.”
Calum Ross, General Manager of the Glasgow Hilton, says, “It’s very welcome news – something for all us to work towards although as always – the devil will be in the detail!
Stephen Leckie, Chairman and Chief Executive of Crieff Hydro, “We are delighted. We are very positive about this. They have listened and taken action. We understand there are caveats, and we understand absolutely that we have to wait until the 9th July until confirmation. There are many questions still. The 2m versus 1m still big issue. We cannot open fully until we have less than 1m distancing.” He continued, “Until the 2m ruling is changed we will continue to lose money. Some pubs will choose not to open until 2m ruling is dropped.”
The Cabinet Secretary also announced the creation of a Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce to assist with the ongoing reset of the sector. The task force will look at the sector’s recovery needs as well as actions being taken by the UK Government and the development of a new domestic visitor marketing campaign.
Colin Wilkinson of the SLTA also welcomed the news that the Scottish Government to seek a VAT reduction for the hospitality and tourism sector and added that the announcement that unallocated grant funding will be assessed and redirected to those businesses which have not been able to access this support before is also welcome. “It will perhaps bring some hope to those tourism and hospitality businesses which have been ignored so far,” he said.
“If this funding is to be re-routed to help businesses through the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund or Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund we must see a greater increase in the number of successful applications – industry research shows that as of last week, only 14% of applicants have been successful with their applications for these grants, the rest either having failed or are still waiting to hear.”
The SLTA welcomed the release of the Scottish Government’s route map to recovery yesterday and said “it is an important start to a return to some sort of normality whatever that may be” but warned pubs and bars to assess the viability of opening. It also urged the Scottish Government to offer ongoing support for the licensed trade.
Managing Director of the SLTA, Colin Wilkinson said, “There were no real surprises in the recovery plan announced and, as we all suspected, the licensed trade will be one of the last to fully reopen.
“The announcement that licensed premises with outdoor areas will be able to reopen sooner is of some comfort for those who can provide this facility and at a scale which makes it viable to do so and can overcome social distancing restriction. But for most, those with a small or no outside area, there is no early reprieve.
“For those who might now consider to use an area they have not used before there are the onerous hurdles of planning and licensing requirements to overcome, not to mention costs. Let’s also not forget social distancing measures that will need to be put in place, which if maintained at the current level of 2 metres, could cut normal capacity by between 60% and 80%.
“Last, but not least, the Scottish weather comes into the fray and if outdoor areas are to be truly outdoor, then there should be no canopies, side screens, marquees etc – otherwise what’s the difference between being outdoors or in an indoor area?
“The bottom line is that each business will need to assess the practicalities, cost and viability of opening up an outdoor area. Governments must not see this initial partial opening opportunity and the future full opening of the industry, both with social distancing restrictions in place, as a marker to phase out the vital ongoing and additional support this industry will need for the months, if not years, ahead.”
Nicola Sturgeon’s route map could see pubs and restaurants open outdoor spaces from the end of June. The four-phase plan envisages pubs and restaurants reopening their indoor spaces around the middle of July, with physical distancing and increased hygiene routines observed, before a full reopening in early August, depending on scientific guidance.
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