Call for urgent rethink after reopening hopes dashed for Moray hospitality trade
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MORAY'S MP has called on the Scottish Government to urgently rethink the restrictions on the hospitality sector after a reduction in the Covid-19 UK alert level yesterday.
Many Moray businesses had hoped to restart trading by opening outdoor areas and beer gardens ahead of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's update on Thursday, June 18, with some going to considerable efforts and expense to acquire outdoor seating and decor to welcome diners.
However, this looks likely to be another two weeks away at least.
Douglas Ross said he was very concerned for businesses in Moray which had invested in outdoor spaces to welcome customers only to be forced to put these plans on hold.
He said: "As well as saving lives we also have to save livelihoods, and I was hopeful that by now many of the local restaurants, pubs and cafés in Moray could have been opening outdoor areas to start trading again.
"Indeed many had plans in place for this and had invested ahead of hopefully getting the green light from the Scottish Government.
"There is a growing sense that the recovery in Scotland is going to be far harder if the Scottish Government don’t trust business and individuals to operate safely in the next phase. When we can see this done in a safe and controlled environment in other parts of the UK and Europe, you have to ask why we can’t do that here in Moray and across Scotland."
He added: "The longer these restrictions last, with questionable evidence for Scotland going slower than the rest of the country, the more difficult it will be and we risk losing some of our best businesses."
