South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has welcomed the confirmation from the Scottish Government that self-contained holiday properties can re-open in Scotland from July 3rd, but has criticised the delay in announcing the move.
Scottish Conservative Brian believes the announcement will give the tourism industry a much needed boost as self-catering properties including cottages, holiday lodges, and caravan sites with no shared facilities, will be able to open nearly two weeks ahead of what was initially proposed.
The Scottish Government had planned to reopen all accommodation on the 15th of July but came under pressure from Brian and other MSPs as well as industry bodies to allow self-catering to reopen earlier. A survey of the members of the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers had suggested that the vast majority of owners would already be able to reopen safely with strict cleaning procedures.
After many owners of self-catering accommodation found they weren’t eligible for the Scottish Government’s grant funding support schemes, there has been growing calls for the Scottish Government to allow them to reopen sooner.
Now, Brian hopes that the confirmation of an earlier reopening and that the 5 mile limit on travel for recreation being lifted on the 3rd of July will give self-catering businesses a chance to get money coming back in. The MSP also hoped that as restrictions eased, people would consider taking a staycation and supporting the Scottish tourism sector.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“I’m pleased that Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government have recognised that self-catering accommodation is safe to reopen earlier when the 5 mile limit is relaxed.
It’s common sense that private, self-catering accommodation doesn’t have the same challenges with social distancing as hotels or other shared accommodation and I wish the Scottish Government had been quicker in realising that.
Tourism is a vital aspect of South Scotland’s economy and there are countless small businesses offering self-catering accommodation who urgently need money coming in.
As lockdown lifts, I want people to feel confident that it’s safe to take a holiday and explore Scotland.
Even if this announcement from the Scottish Government is a case of better late than never, I hope it will help the tourism sector salvage some of this summer season.”
