The Scottish Government’s Business Ventilation Fund opens for applications next week (22nd November) and will close on 31 March 2022.
The support aims to target high-risk settings where people come into close proximity, such as hospitality and businesses can claim up to £2500 of costs that improve ventilation to help reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. For example, installing carbon dioxide monitors and repairing windows and vents.
For hospitality businesses to be eligible for funding they must be a small or medium-sized enterprise and pay non-domestic rates.
To apply businesses will need to complete an online self-assessment form to receive advice on whether the business requires support to improve ventilation. Businesses will then be asked to provide further details about the proposed remedial work. If approved, the business can then submit receipts for the work carried out and a payment of up to £2,500 will be made
Businesses that have already completed improvements to their ventilation prior to the fund opening will not be eligible to claim costs back but they may still be eligible for additional improvements depending on what the prior improvements involved.
For more information https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/business-ventilation-fund
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced top-up funding to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions.
In addition to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will now also get a one-off grant:
£25,000 for larger hospitality businesses (RV over £51,001) on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller hospitality businesses (RV rateable value of £51,000 or less) on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
£9,000 for larger retail and leisure businesses (rateable value of £51,001) on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller retail and leisure businesses (rateable value of £51,001) on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
In most cases, eligible businesses that have already applied for the 4-weekly payment from the Strategic Framework Business Fund will get an automatic top-up.
For the majority, this top-up will be combined with the next tranche of payment for the Strategic Framework Business Fund due to go to businesses on 25 January.
Businesses that haven’t yet applied for either of these funds should submit an application as soon as possible through their local authority website. Applications are now open.
Ms Forbes said:, “Since the start of the pandemic Scottish Government support for business and the economy has reached almost £3 billion – more than a third of our total coronavirus (COVID-19) funding, demonstrating our commitment to provide as much help as we possibly can to our businesses.
“As promised, this additional support for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses will be available this month, in some cases doubling or tripling the amount of support we are providing. Applications are open now and payment will be made this month.
“Crucially this essential funding will also help to close the gaps in UK wide support for these impacted sectors and our one-off support for larger hospitality premises of £25,000 is considerably more generous than the £9,000 grant on offer in England.
“I’d encourage all eligible businesses to apply through their local authority if they have not done so already. Of course, we are acutely aware that this support can never compensate for the full impact on business, but we must work within the resources that are available to us, and we continue to respond to the evolving economic challenges arising from the pandemic.”
However, hospitality experts pointed out that businesses in England got a £25,000 grant last year and they are now getting an extra £9,000. They are, each of them, still at least £9,000 better off than their Scottish counterparts, and they had the benefit of the £25,000 grant months ago.
UKHospitality Scotland also warned that the new package of financial support unveiled will not be enough to prevent some hospitality businesses from failure and jobs being permanently lost.
UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Willie Macleod said, “Additional financial assistance is always welcome, but the reality is that this is not going to be enough. We are talking about businesses that now have no revenue, or next to no revenue, whatsoever.
“The sector’s ability to generate any sort of income is almost non-existent, particularly for businesses in mainland Scotland. Financial support must go further if we want businesses to stay afloat and jobs to survive.
“Hospitality has the potential to drive Scotland’s economic recovery once the crisis has passed. We provide jobs right across the country and we can play a pivotal role in getting people out and about, investing in their communities again. We can only do this if businesses have not gone under in the meantime. We need the support now, otherwise we will not be able to help in the weeks and months ahead.
“We need confirmation that the VAT cut and business rates holiday will be extended. This will, at least, give hospitality businesses some sense of stability and allow them to plan for what is going to be a very difficult year.”
William Grant & Sons, has been recognised as Distiller of the Year at the International Spirits Competition (ISC) 2020 for the fifth consecutive year. The competition received more than 1,700 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide.
Brian Kinsman (pictured), Master Blender said,“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the brilliant team at William Grant & Sons. Despite the challenges that this year has thrown at our industry, quality is always at the heart of everything we do, so to be recognised with this award is even more satisfying than in previous years. I would like to thank our global team of colleagues who work with passion and expertise to ensure we produce the best dram in the valley year after year.”
These trophies are in addition to nine ISC ‘double gold’ trophies presented to the company earlier this year across several of its whisky brands including Glenfiddich, Grant’s, The Balvenie and Drambuie. In total, William Grant & Sons received 74 medals recognising quality across its entire brand portfolio.
Now in its 25th year, ISC is the premier event in promoting outstanding quality spirits from across the globe. The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, awarding only the highest calibre of spirits companies entered into the competition each year.
Trade charities The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland will receive all the funds from the next William Grant & Sons #STANDFAST Campaign event – a charity auction, which will see the family-owned company put their largest-ever archive under the gavel in support of hospitality workers impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The auction sees a range of biddable items including rare and aged liquids, physical and virtual experiences, merchandise and unique memorabilia, bartenders essentials, as well as ‘one-offs’ and exclusives.
Hosted by Whisky.Auction from 19th – 28th July, the catalogue will feature items and experiences from Hendrick’s Gin, Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Sailor Jerry, Tullamore D.E.W., Grant’s, Drambuie, Ailsa Bay and Reyka Vodka, As well as the proceeds going to the two charities the registration fees will also be donated.
Bidders will be able to get their hands on a Monkey Shoulder cocktail Konga Shaker, sets of Tullamore D.E.W. tumbler glasses, jiggers and Sailor Jerry cocktail shaker kits, whilst collectors can also court the unattainable, off-market items, such as a bottle of Glenfiddich Winter Storm – 21-Year-Old – Batch 1 and a hand-crafted Morgan vintage-style sports car from The Balvenie and special aged liquids for the dedicated spirits connoisseurs. In-person experiences include a rare opportunity for the curious to visit the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Scotland and meet Master Distiller Leslie Gracie, a raffle prize of an at-home cocktail party with the impressive Monkey Shoulder mixer truck, as well as getting shoulder to shoulder with Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE at The Balvenie Blending Lab.
Created to help get bartenders back to work and support the On Trade, the #STANDFAST Campaign has seen William Grant & Sons UK donating to emergency funds via The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland, rewarding creativity and passions at home with its Difford’s Guide ‘Bartenders @ Home’ initiative, raising significant additional funds through the Reyka Runners Hospo Half running event, as well as supplying millions of litres of ethanol for hand sanitiser production.
Neil Barker, Managing Director, William Grant & Sons UK & Ireland, commented, “Extraordinary times demand extraordinary solutions. The Hospitality industry continues to face unprecedented challenges, and we are delighted to stand shoulder to shoulder with The Drinks Trust and The BEN in Scotland to alleviate hardship. There is something for everyone in this unique collection of items, experiences and liquids, and we hope to raise a significant amount of money for these great causes.”
Chris Gardner, CEO The BEN in Scotland said, “It’s heart-warming to have received such support from leading spirits brands for workers who’ve seen significant impacts to their livelihoods. We are grateful to see such best-loved brands stepping up and bringing our community together in such a time of need.”
Ross Carter, CEO of The Drinks Trust, added, “This auction comes at a time where the drinks and hospitality industry is in need of assistance more than ever. We are truly grateful to William Grant & Sons for creating this one-of-a-kind #STANDFAST Charity Auction, which is set to deliver much-needed support to our industry which has been affected by the pandemic like no other.”
All items in the catalogue will go live for preview on 15th July. Registration to bid is £5 with all proceeds contributing to the auction donation total for The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland, as well as raffle entry to win an at-home cocktail party with the Monkey Shoulder mixer truck. Visit http://Whisky.Auction to pre-register.
Grant’s Whisky are sending three candidates on a world tour as part of the interview process for their Global Brand Ambassador vacancy.
The trio will jet off to three countries each over a ten-day period, with India, Colombia, Poland and South Africa amongst the destinations. Once there their task is to use a suitcase full of Grant’s as a bargaining tool, showcasing their resourcefulness and imagination by ‘swapping drams for unforgettable adventures that take whisky to the world’.
Inspiration for the project stems from a similar journey made – suitcase of Grant’s in hand – in 1909 by Charles Grant Gordon, son-in-law of the business’ founder William Grant.
The ideal candidate is said to be resourceful, charismatic and talented, with a passion for writing, travelling and mixology.
“The role goes way beyond being able to make great cocktails,” commented Global Brand Director Oliver Dickson.
He continued, “We’re looking for somebody to embody the ‘Stand Together’ spirit of the brand and who can spearhead Grant’s into the next stage of its global journey.
“In today’s society, lots of people seek more flexibility and adventure from their work than a 9 to 5 day in an office. This job offers travel, freedom, independence and a good salary too! We wanted an interview process to match the exciting and challenging nature of the role.”
The world tour is the third stage of the process, with the first requiring candidates to design a drink that reveals something about their personality and the second taking the form of a special event attended by 20 candidates in Scotland this September.
Passed down through five generations of the Grant family since its creation in 1887, Grant’s is sold in 183 countries around the world.
William Grant & Sons UK has officially welcomed Drambuie into its portfolio. The brand was acquired by Wm Grant & Sons in 2014, but its distribution stayed with Bacardi Brown-Forman in the interim.
Rita Greenwood, Managing Director of William Grant & Sons UK and Ireland, comments,“Liqueurs is a dynamic category within the premium spirits market, growing by £12.5 million last year, and since Drambuie is such a unique liquid, we are thrilled to announce it has joined our portfolio. One of our ambitions is to grow our quality spirits offering within the market, and with 7.6 million liqueur drinkers in the UK, Drambuie is an excellent fit that complements our existing portfolio and will support our growth strategy both in the on and off trade going forward.”
William Grant & Sons UK revitalised the Drambuie brand in late 2016 with a new identity and bottle design to truly reflect the brand’s roots. The new design sees the iconic Drambuie red cork cap reintroduced, and features the brand’s refreshed logo based on the design from the 1960’s, embossed on textured cream stock with gold foiling.
Plans for revitalizing the brand continue in 2017, with William Grant & Sons’ mission of recruiting a new generation of Drambuie drinkers. Along with the new serve strategy for the ‘Drambuie Collins’ and the new bottle design, the company plans to continue with ‘Brass and Crimson’ – a campaign celebrating Drambuie’s history with music through a series of events up and down the country.
William Grant & Sons existing portfolio includes Glenfiddich and The Balvenie single malt Scotch whiskies, Monkey Shoulder, Grant’s, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey, Hendrick’s gin and Sailor Jerry spiced rum.
William Grant & Sons has announced it is the Official Spirits & Champagne Tournament Provider of Rugby World Cup 2015. This means William Grant & Sons’ UK portfolio of brands including Grant’s, Piper-Heidsieck, Glenfiddich, Hendrick’s, Sailor Jerry and Zubrowka will have exclusive pouring rights at all Rugby World Cup 2015 stadiums and William Grant & Sons will also have access to highly coveted tickets to every match.
This is the first time that family owned, independent distiller William Grant & Sons has partnered with Rugby’s showcase event, due to take place between September 18th and October 31st 2015. The Tournament brings together 20 nations, participating in 48 matches, across 13 stadiums.
During Rugby World Cup 2015, William Grant & Sons brands will be undertaking a range of activities to engage fans and will be offering once in a lifetime opportunities to attend matches.
Gary Keogh, Marketing Director, William Grant & Sons UK said, “We are incredibly excited about our association with Rugby World Cup 2015. This Tournament is one of the world’s greatest sporting events and we’re looking forward to engaging millions of rugby fans with our portfolio of brands in and around match venues, at a bar or at home.”