A hotel in Fife has warned many businesses won’t survive without financial support after the Scottish Government said people should consider deferring Christmas parties.
Scots have been advised to consider cancelling their festive get-togethers amid a surge in coronavirus cases, believed to be a result of the Omicron variant.
But bosses of one hotel in Fife warned the guidance could force many to close for good without the financial support they were given by the government during the last lockdown.
A social media statement by the Laurel Bank in Markinch says they will be unable to offer refunds to anyone who opts to cancel.
‘Unprecedented’ number of Christmas cancellations
The restaurant said they had already spent much of their money on food, drink, staffing and decorations for the Christmas period.
“We have seen an unprecedented number cancellations for Christmas party nights in the last few days,” the statement said.
“We would love to offer refunds as we know everyone is struggling at the moment but it’s just not possible.”.
Dr Nick Phin, the director of public health science and medical director at Public Health Scotland (PHS), said previously that he would “strongly urge” people to defer parties to another time.
“We still need to learn more about the severity of disease caused by Omicron and the effectiveness of vaccines, but there are important things that we can do to help protect ourselves and our families now,” he said.
“To help minimise the further spread of Covid-19, and Omicron in particular, I would strongly urge people to defer their Christmas parties to another time.”
Following the guidance, one hotel in Dundee said it had seen over 100 cancellations in 24 hours.
Steve Robertson, who has run The View Restaurant in Wormit, said his business had already lost £5,000 as a result.
The Laurel Bank’s owners said the guidance being introduced without accompanying financial support for business presents huge problems for the industry.
Warning many restaurants ‘will not survive’
“Quite simply, many will not survive,” the statement continued.
“The run [up to] Christmas and Hogmanay is our busiest time of the year. We rely on this to create a bit of a war chest to support the business during the quieter times of the year.
“Last Christmas was a write-off and with a limited number of weddings and functions in 2021, the war chest isn’t there.”
“Safety is the top priority and we have worked hard to create a safe and clean environment for our customers to relax and celebrate the festivities.
“We believe our hotel and many local restaurants are safer than going to the shops, going to a club, sports ground or cinema.
“So please, if you want to see local hotels and restaurants like the Laurelbank survive, please use them.”
We believe our hotel and many local restaurants are safer than going to the shops, going to a club, sports ground or cinema.”
The Laurel Bank
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to address the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, with the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf saying on Monday that further restrictions could be “inevitable“.
Mr Yousaf conceded that the guidance issued to date had already had an impact on business as he said the Scottish Government would seek “as much support from the Treasury” as possible.
“We’ve got to do everything we can to protect the NHS.
“There’s no point waiting until the tsunami hits you. If you know the tsunami is coming, you’ve got to take preventative action,” he said.
