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Tag: Scottish hospitality

Sturgeon confirms level zero for Scotland but hospitality must close at midnight

Despite praising hospitality’s “sterling efforts” Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that Scotland will move to Level 0 on 19th July but that social distancing outdoors would remain, and pubs, bars and restaurants must also shut their doors at midnight rather than follow local licensing rules.

Describing it as “not a complete and wholesale lifting of restrictions” but a “gradual approach” she said that closing hospitality venues at midnight must happen because hospitality is  “a risky environment where people are less likely to follow rules” and that the measures “mitigate risk.”

A total of 15 people from the same number of households will be able to gather outdoors with a one-metre gap between each group, while inside hospitality venues, 10 adults from four households can meet, and there will be no need for customers to book a two-hour time slot.

Customers will still be asked to provide their contact details to support Test & Protect and will also be required to wear face coverings when not seated.

A maximum of 200 people will be able to attend weddings and funerals.

With regard to self-isolating she said that the blanket requirement for close contacts of those who test positive to self-isolate,  will be removed from Monday, as long as they have had two doses of vaccine and take a PCR test.

She said that she still hoped Scotland could move beyond level zero from 9 August – the point at which the government aimed to scrap most legal restrictions.

Marc Crothall, CEO Scottish Tourism Alliance described the outdoor social distancing rule remaining as “disappointing”. He said, “It will be disappointing news today that the 1-metre distancing will remain outdoors for many of those businesses operating in the outdoor adventure and marine sector, especially as their counterparts south of the border are able to trade without this condition.

“There are understandably huge concerns across the industry in relation to the Scottish Government’s current self-isolation policy and the impact this is having on the ability for businesses to staff at required levels and in many cases, remain open. We are reassured by the Scottish Government’s commitment to removing the need for people to self-isolate if they are double vaccinated and come into close contact with a positive case.”

Leon Thompson, UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director, is calling for more financial support. He said, “Hospitality continues to trade in a very difficult environment which will not improve until all major restrictions are removed. Today we had hoped to hear something definite on this. Instead, businesses burdened with expensive short-term debt will continue to struggle, unable to break-even whilst ongoing and seemingly endless restrictions continue.

“Again, today’s announcement had nothing on financial support for Scotland’s hospitality businesses which are now set to fall further behind businesses in England. UKHospitality Scotland will continue to press the Scottish Government on this crucial point. A new package of support can make the difference between survival and closure for some businesses.”

She also expressed concerns about the uncertainty of long Covid, the fact the Delta variant was holding back NHS recovery and causing a backlog of non-coved care, and not being complacent about the number of young people getting the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon also reached out to those on the high clinical risk list – 13,000 of which haven’t had both doses of the vaccine – by telling them “we will not abandon you.”

As of 07:30 today, 3,941,571 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, an increase of 7,163 since yesterday, with 10,286 people received second doses of the vaccine yesterday, bringing the total number to 2,903,557.

The first minister said that the progress of the vaccination programme gives us “real hope” and that we are in the last stages of offering first doses to the adult population and confirmed that the vaccination programme is weakening the link between case numbers and severe acute illness.

The daily coronavirus figures show a further 2,529 people have tested positive for Covid-19, which is 11.5% of the tests carried out yesterday, bringing the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 318,566.
There are currently people 506 in hospital, 37 more than yesterday, and 41 people in intensive care, which is one more as yesterday, and there have been four further deaths reported, which brings the total deaths under the daily measurement to 7,761.

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Trade bodies demand ‘meaningful financial support’ as many hospitality businesses ‘still under extreme pressure’

UKHospitality Scotland has demanded more meaningful levels of financial support for hospitality businesses by the Scottish government amid a delay in lifting restrictions further for much of the country while Scottish Hospitality Group spokesman Stephen Montgomery says that despite Glasgow’s move to level 2, nightclubs and music venues are still being left out in the cold financially.

First minister Nicola Surgeon announced yesterday that Glasgow will move to level 2 from level 3 this weekend while the majority of the islands will move from level 1 to level 0. But many parts of Scotland will not proceed to the next step of the country’s roadmap out of lockdown and remain at level 2.

UKHospitality Scotland executive director Leon Thompson (pictured) said, “The delay in moving 14 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to level 1 from level 2 now begs the question of when they might be able to move – an answer is important if businesses are to best plan for survival. The hospitality sector remains fragile after more than 15 months of closure and severely disrupted trading.

“While the announcement provides progress for some, businesses need to hear the Scottish government will provide meaningful levels of financial support to help them continue to trade and safeguard the jobs of their employees.”

Scottish Hospitality Group spokesman Stephen Montgomery added, “It’s good news that businesses in Glasgow are being released from level 3. And wedding venues moving to level 1 will be able to host 100 guests. But it’s devastating news for the brides and grooms across the central belt who were counting on a change, and all the venues that will end up refunding thousands of pounds. None of this helps nightclubs and many music venues either, so we can’t forget that there are many in the sector still under extreme pressure

“The further reduction in hospitalised Covid admissions shows that the vaccination effort is working, so surely case numbers don’t matter if those people who do test positive remain fit and healthy. We don’t place restrictions on entire cities when it’s winter flu season, so why on earth are we doing it now? And how can businesses trust what the government is saying about the future when the objectives keep changing.

“We invite the First Minister and her cabinet colleagues to visit our premises and learn for themselves how damaging and distressing their approach is. She acknowledged today in the chamber that all their decisions have not been perfect. We can confirm from bitter experience how right she is. But it’s never too late to listen, learn and change.”

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ScotHot to return in 2023 with new organisers at the helm

ScotHot, Scotland’s showcase for the hospitality and tourism sector, is set to return in 2023 with new organisers 365 Events at the helm after the West Sussex-based business acquired it from London-based Montgomery Group. ScotHot was scheduled to take place earlier this year at the SEC Glasgow but had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

Held every two years, ScotHot attracts industry professionals and exhibitors to a showcase of and developments in the hospitality and tourism industries.  As well as providing a forum for suppliers, buyers and decision makers to network, it also includes a platform for future talent in the shape of the Scottish Culinary Championships including Scottish Chef of the Year.

As part of the deal, 365 Events Ltd also acquired Northern Ireland’s food and drink exhibition event IFEX which is set to return in Belfast next year.

Said Toby Wand (pictured), co-director of 365 Events with Billie Moore, ”As the world of hospitality recovers and realigns post-pandemic, vibrant business events like IFEX and ScotHot will provide vital meeting places for the industries to reconnect, uncover new learnings and discover relevant technologies to improve their businesses and customer focus.”

Lori Hoinkes, Managing Director of Montgomery Events said, “The last 14 months have been extremely difficult for us all, but especially our colleagues in hospitality and the wider events industry.  I wish Toby and Billie well with their future events as we all look towards a brighter future.”

ScotHot is scheduled for March 2023 at SEC Glasgow.

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Applications for COVID-19 Restrictions Fund now open

Applications are now open for the £40 million COVID-19 Restrictions Fund available to hospitality and other businesses required to close (except for takeaway) by these new restrictions.  You have until Tuesday 3rd November at 5pm to apply via your local authority website.

The grants operates as a two-tiered scheme, with a smaller grant of £2,000 for businesses with a Rateable Value (RV) of under £51,000 and a larger grant of £3,000 for those businesses with a RV over £51,000.  An upper limit of £15,000 in total will apply to any eligible business operating multiple premises.

Local Authorities are also inviting applications for a business hardship fund –  with payments of £1,000 or  £1500, dependent on Rateable Value –   to  support some businesses that remain open but are still significantly impacted by the restrictions, including those in the direct supply chains of firms that must close.  An upper limit of £10,000 will apply in total to any eligible business operating multiple premises.

There is a finite budget available for this support. The first round of applications will be accepted from:

  • Hospitality businesses and some gyms, required by these new regulations to close or operate in a restricted way and able to evidence a minimum 25% reduction in turnover during the brake period
  • Producers/wholesale businesses based in Scotland supplying primarily short-life goods or produce to hospitality businesses required by the regulations to close or operate in a restricted way and able to evidence a minimum 25% reduction in turnover during the brake period

For clarity, retail and businesses that provide takeaway food as the core and established basis of their operations are not eligible for these closure or hardship funds.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this support you must meet the following criteria.

For the business closure fund you must be a hospitality or other business  required by law to close under these new restrictions.

For the discretionary business hardship fund you must be:

  •  A hospitality business and some gyms, required by the regulations to operate in a restricted way
  •   A producer/wholesale business based in Scotland supplying primarily short-life goods or produce to hospitality businesses required by the regulations to close or operate in a restricted way and able to evidence a 25% reduction in turnover during the brake period
If your business operates multiple premises you can apply for grants for each premise, applying only once to the local authority in which your business is headquartered. The maximum any one business can receive will be restricted, regardless of the number of premises: the upper limit for the  business closure fund is £15,000; the upper limit for business hardship fund is £10,000.

 

  • Your businesses must have been open and trading before 9 October.
  •    You must have a business bank account. This is the account your grant will be paid into if your application is successful.
  • Your business premises must be registered for Non-Domestic rates.
  •    Businesses that pay rates through their landlords rather than directly to a Council are eligible to apply (evidence to be provided through copy of lease agreement).
  •    Businesses which have breached wider COVID regulations/requirements prior to local restrictions are not eligible to apply.
  •    Businesses with connections to tax havens, as set out in the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020, are not eligible to apply.
  •    Applications are welcome from Limited Companies, Sole Traders, Trusts and Partnerships provided they meet the other criteria.
  •    Retail and businesses that provide takeaway food as the core and established basis of their operations are not eligible for these closure or hardship funds.
  • How to apply:

The Government is working with local authorities to prepare and finalise all the administrative arrangements required to ensure efficient and effective application, processing, payment and appeal arrangements –  and access to the information and advice you may need.

Local authority websites will be updated at 9 am on Tuesday 20th October, allowing business to complete applications.

   Applications will close on Tuesday 3rd November at 5 pm.

Local Authorities will prioritise processing of applications with a view to making as many decisions as possible within the brake period while restrictions are in place.  Local authorities will ensure any payment is made within 3 working days of notifying you of their decision.

Local authority websites will provide information on appeal arrangements.

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UKHospitality demands more financial support from Scottish government as £40m is ‘nowhere near enough’

The Scottish Government must outline as soon as possible how it will provide further financial support over and above the £40m pot if it is to have any hope of keeping businesses alive and jobs safe, says UKHospitality.

The trade body’s Executive Director for Scotland Willie Macleod (pictured) said, “Compulsory closures in the central belt and the trading restrictions elsewhere are biting hard. Consumer confidence is also low which means revenue is down and cash flow reduced. Businesses need cash in order to survive and keep as many of their employees as possible in jobs.

“The reality is, however, that the £40 million pot made available by the Scottish Government is not going to be nearly enough. It will be nowhere near enough to offset the massive hit businesses have taken. It will not keep businesses afloat and it will not keep enough jobs safe.

“The Scottish Government must go further. It needs to announce as soon as possible how it will use its share, understood to be £700m, of the £1.3bn allocated last Friday by the Chancellor to the devolved governments. It must use a significant chunk of this to help beleaguered hospitality sector and its employees. Many hospitality businesses including nightclubs, meeting spaces and conference venues are, as yet, unable to re-open and they need the support that has hitherto been denied them.

“There must also be a change in the way these restrictions are being rolled-out. It is increasingly incumbent on government to provide adequate notice of restrictions being placed on businesses and, at the same time, provide full details of how these businesses will be supported.”

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Sign up for a free WSET course before midnight on Saturday 17th October

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is offering a free course to 90 bartenders, waiters or barbacks (aged over 18) to support Scottish hospitality staff that have either lost their jobs or are suffering due to the COVID-19 crisis with an online WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits.

To apply for a place, please contact your employer or, if you are not currently working, email max@themixingclass.com. All applications must be sent in by midnight on Saturday 17th October. Successful applicants will be notified on Monday 20thOctober. The first course runs from 21st – 22nd October and the second course from 26th – 27th October. Dates are still to be finalised for the final third course.

Hannah Lanfear (pictured) of The Mixing Class will be teaching the courses. All teaching will be via video conferencing but will be supplemented by samples allowing students to taste online together.

The initiative has been supported by Diageo, The Morrison Foundation, Aberfeldy and John Dewar & Sons, The Whisky Exchange, Langley Distillery, Morrison Distillers, Chivas Bros and Gordon & MacPhail.

Liam Scandrett, WSET Business Development Manager EMEA Spirits, said, “This is a very hard time for the Scottish hospitality industry and, in particular, for service staff. By using the power of education, we hope that we can play our part in supporting this beleaguered sector through this difficult period, by upskilling hospitality staff with a globally recognised qualification.”

Max Ostwald (pictured) of The Mixing Class added, “Nobody was prepared for the situation that the hospitality industry is facing. We want to do what we can, where we can to give people some hope and positivity during this stressful period. Educating people is what we do and we feel now, more than ever, people need that focus and feeling of personal growth.”

To find out more about WSET’s Level 2 Award in Spirits course, visit WSET Global.

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Stephen Montgomery of SHG reflects on how he’s feeling ahead of today’s new restrictions

On the day when the Scottish government’s new restrictions come into force where pubs and restaurants in the central belt are to close at 6pm and will not reopen until at least 25 October, with no alcohol to be served indoors and bar opening hours limited in the rest of Scotland, Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) spokesperson and licensee Stephen Montgomery reflects on how he’s feeling…

Shocked, Stunned and Depressed. I really don’t know how I feel right now, so I can only imagine that everyone reading this is feeling somewhat the same.

We as a trade have done everything we have been asked to, and more, with regard to keeping our staff and customers safe,  and now we have been hit with that final blow.  It will see many of our trade shut their doors tonight for the very last time. It’s all too much to take in.

On Tuesday the First Minister took to the floor during her briefing to fire a warning shot out to us. She gave us the big speech about where the virus was more progressive, gave it the full story, and at that vital moment we were all at the edge of our seats and shouting at the TV ‘just do it, just tell us, come on’… it was just like watching an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire when the contestant is about to hit the £1m and they say… “come back after the break”!! So…as always she left us hanging on yet again for another 24 hours.

To be fair, on Wednesday the Scottish Government didn’t let us down, they effectively signed the death warrant on us, the return of the death penalty. The pitiful amount released of £40m to assist those locked down in the 5 areas isn’t even going to touch the sides. Modelled on the Aberdeen lockdown it will be distributed on rateable values, below £51k and over £51k by the sound of it. It beggars belief that a city of the size of Liverpool comes up with £40m to help its hospitality, however Scotland as a country can’t dig deeper to support those they have put on the naughty step for doing everything right, and who contribute to the £10.6 billion annually to Scotland’s GDP.

For those who are not fully locked down, it will be a scramble for a token payment, but given the fact that the maximum anyone will get who is in a full lockdown will be between £1500 and £2000, the £40m pot will be about empty before anyone else gets a slice.

In my view the planning preparation and execution of this latest restriction has been terrible. It is the equivalent of going into a battle without a map. The shot was fired on Wednesday to shut us down in whatever way, but then the First Minister said they would now take a day or two to talk to trade to decide the best way to distribute the pocket money. This should have already been planned and prepared prior to the announcement and ready for the execution. Again, as I have always said, engage more with us and we can help. Today as we go to print, we still don’t even have the definition of what is or is not a cafe.

So let’s look at where we’ve got to so far.

Pubs, Hotels and restaurants have repeatedly implemented the safety measures required by the Government and more, to protect our customers and staff. A recent survey of our Scottish Hospitality Group members showed that we had registered only 17 confirmed COVID cases among more than 1.8m customers and 6000 staff. We are trusted by our customers, and we as a sector are a vital part in the cog of helping the Scottish Government pave a path through this. We are the safest social space available anywhere, and play a vital part in our towns and communities for many many people. We are the solution to their problem, not the problem to their solution.

We have repeatedly asked the Government for scientific evidence that would prove the restrictions they impose, like the music ban and the 10pm curfew actually work, and yet they have singled us out, charged us and found us guilty without any supporting evidence.

I feel so sorry for every one of us caught up in this terrible situation, the nightmare that we can’t wake up from, but I also feel sorry for our young employees between 16 and 24 years old, who will be hardest hit by these restrictions. More than 25% of our members’ 6,000 staff are under 25 and it is that generation that is likely to pay the price for this latest lockdown.

Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said in her message to Scotland’s young people, that the government would do everything it could to give them the opportunities they
need for skills, training and employment; give them the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus by ensuring everyone aged between 16 and 24 had the opportunity of work, education or training. How can she say this, when her Government’s ill-thought decisions are putting employers out of business?

What are our asks from Scottish Government? They are simple. Sector specific support with a tailored hospitality furlough scheme to enable us to retain our fantastic staff, financial support to help keep our businesses afloat, look at giving us a further rates exemption, and push the UK Government in extending the 5% VAT scheme.

Where do we go now? Who knows? One thing is for sure, the Scottish Hospitality Group will continue to be a voice, we will continue daily to put the concerns of grass route operators to the fore of every argument and obstacle that is put in our way in our endeavour to make sure that we get through this together. We will continue to ask the Government to speak to us, work with us, engage with us, and allow us to help them in keeping us all safe, because that’s what we do as hospitality leaders. I totally understand that Scottish Government have a hard job to do, it really cannot be easy, but speak to us more, involve us more and share the burden.

Need to go now…..Leigh, get the phone……probably just another cancelation!

 

The new restrictions broken down

  • All pubs and restaurants in the central belt – Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley health board areas – will have to close, both indoors and outdoors, from 18:00 today until 25 October, although takeaways can still be served.
  • Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in the rest of Scotland will not be allowed to serve alcohol indoors. They can only open between 06:00 and 18:00 for food and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Licensed premises away from the central belt can continue to serve alcohol outdoors until the 22:00 curfew.
  • All cafes can stay open until 18:00.
  • Hotels can serve evening meals to residents but without alcohol.
  • Alcohol can still be served at weddings and funerals, which are limited to a maximum of 20 people and can only take place in regulated premises.
  • The existing rules state that a maximum of six people from two households can meet together in hospitality venues, either indoors or outdoors.
  • Customers have to provide their contact details, and must wear face coverings while moving around and when not eating or drinking.
  • It is mandatory for staff to wear face coverings, and there can only be table service.
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Scottish licensees taking biggest hit in the UK because of early closing restrictions says SLTA

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”

 

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