Highland businesses invited to take part in online Q&A with rural economy and tourism secretary
Businesses from across the Highlands and Islands are being invited to take part in an hour-long question-and-answer meeting next week with Scotland's rural economy and tourism secretary Fergus Ewing.
Monday's online event is being organised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) which represents small and medium-sized businesses.
FSB research shows that lockdown has left the Highlands and Islands and Argyll more vulnerable economically than the rest of Scotland due to the region's dependence on its visitor economy – tourism and hospitality.
The federation says businesses are increasingly seeking clarity on a range of issues vital to their survival.
With phase two of the unlocking process expected soon, the FSB says it is the perfect time for smaller businesses to question Mr Ewing – the MSP for Inverness and Nairn – on what the Scottish Government is doing to support businesses over the next year.
The FSB’s Highlands and Islands area leader, Tanja Lister, director of the Kylesku Hotel in Sutherland, said: “We know how anxious businesses are becoming about their abilities to survive in this new world and, given that the virus is unpredictable, they clearly want as much clarity as possible so that they can plan their survival strategies once unlocking takes place.
“In particular, they want to know when and how unlocking will take place, what they must do to comply with distancing protocols, how local communities will be persuaded that the time is right to unlock, and the nature of the government-backed business support that will be put in place to carry the regional economy though to next Easter and beyond.
“Nobody should think that businesses can go from nought to 60 in a few days – it will take a long time for them to recover, and many will need ongoing support from governments, public agencies, other businesses and, very importantly, the general public for many months to come.
“We know how heavily engaged Mr Ewing is in his vital role and we are delighted that he is giving up his time to take questions on Monday. This is the perfect time for him to meet Highlands and Islands businesses and we are looking forward to a very productive hour with him.”
Questions must be submitted in advance and the FSB will ask as many as possible in the allotted time. Participants can also submit comments during the meeting using Zoom’s chat function.
The event starts at 12.50pm on June 15. It is free and open to all businesses.
Those wishing to find out more and register should look at the FSB Highlands and Islands Facebook page.