Support needed during 'long, hard winter', says Caithness Chamber of Commerce chief
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Far north business leader Trudy Morris is calling for a comprehensive package of support to help local firms come through "a long, hard winter".
Ms Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, warned that moving the Highlands – along with the rest of mainland Scotland – to level four restrictions from Boxing Day would have a devastating impact.
Level four is the strictest of Scotland's tiers and will last for at least three weeks. Measures include the closure of non-essential shops as well as cafés, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
"This latest move by the Scottish Government will prove to be devastating news for businesses and communities across the north Highlands," Ms Morris said. "It is now of the utmost importance that the Scottish Government immediately provides details of the support it will be offering to businesses to help them through this difficult time.
"We have long had concerns that the Scottish Government's protection levels framework does not appropriately balance economic impacts – which, let us not forget, directly impact on people's lives and livelihoods – against public health impacts, and it is hard to see how the move from level one to level four is appropriate for remote and rural communities like the north Highlands.
"It is clear that the previous, piecemeal approach to business support under the levels system is no longer appropriate or effective, as the impacts of what is essentially a return to full lockdown are too widespread.
"With the roll-out of a vaccine proceeding there is light at the end of the tunnel, and we need a comprehensive package of support for all businesses to be made available immediately to help us survive what is sure to be a long, hard winter."
David Richardson, development manager for the Highlands and Islands at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said the move had come as "a complete shock" and called on people in the region to keep supporting local firms.
Mr Richardson said: “For the many Caithness businesses struggling to recover after what has been a very poor year, the sudden leap from level one to level four will come as a complete shock.
“Not only will incomes plummet once again – or dry up altogether – but many will have significant stock holding problems. Numerous businesses were left with excess stock during the spring/early summer lockdown, a problem that recurred when restrictions were reintroduced in October, and now it’s happening again from Boxing Day.
"Moreover, there are serious implications for employment – Highland job-seeker numbers have already increased by 98 per cent since March. And, last but not least, delayed school reopenings present a significant problem for working couples.
“There are limits to how much loss and stress our small, independent businesses can take, which explains why FSB Scotland is calling for government to ensure that announcements on new restrictions are accompanied at the same time by information on how affected businesses will be supported.
"Support must be made available to struggling business as and when they need it, not delayed for weeks while discussions take place about how best it should be targeted and managed.
“But we all have a part to play – for in supporting our local, independent businesses we are supporting our communities and the standard of living and quality of life that we all enjoy. Keeping trade local really matters.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave an assurance on Tuesday that Scotland's finance secretary Kate Forbes is looking at what can be done to help businesses suffering the biggest impact from the move to level four.
“Financial support will remain available for businesses affected and the finance secretary is urgently assessing what more the Scottish Government can do, particularly for the sectors most affected," Ms Sturgeon said.
