Murdo Fraser MSP has called on the SNP Government to address concerns over a lack of financial help to guest houses and B & Bs in Perth and Kinross.
The Scottish Conservative politician has been contacted by some owners of guest houses and B & Bs who are incensed that they are not classed as being eligible to qualify for the January Business Support Top-Up – Hospitality and Leisure Fund, which was launched following the tightening of Covid restrictions over the festive period.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “I have been contacted by some furious owners of guest houses and B & Bs who, quite rightly, feel they are being treated unfairly by this SNP Government by not including them in the list of eligible businesses for the Business Support Top-Up – it is ridiculous.
“These hospitality businesses have been faced with real financial difficulties throughout the pandemic, and I have been told that many guest house and B & B owners are worried that they won’t be able to make it through the next 12 months if the season does not pick up. I find this a very concerning situation.”
Mr Fraser added: “The strength of feeling on this issue can be shown by a survey carried out by the Scottish Guest House and B & B Alliance just before Christmas, which found that 78% of their businesses saw a fall in business guests following the work from home guidance, and 90% of those surveyed saw a drop in foreign guests following changes to international travel guidelines.”
