Edinburgh's tourism and hospitality industry could reopen on July 15

Opening time could be round the corner.
Opening time could be round the corner. Picture: Getty ImagesOpening time could be round the corner. Picture: Getty Images
Opening time could be round the corner. Picture: Getty Images

HOTELS, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions could be up and running again in five weeks. The Scottish Government has given the tourism and hospitality sector a provisional reopening date of July 15.

The date will have to be confirmed the week before and is dependent on the virus being under control.

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But Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing said the sector needed clarity and enough notice to be able to plan for starting up again after being shut since the end of March.

The move was welcomed by businesses which have been worried about their future. Paul Brennan, co-owner of Dine restaurant, off Lothian Road, said:

“It’s welcome news. We were looking at letting some staff go at the end of July when we would have to start paying towards furlough, but hopefully this will save jobs. It’s a great start.”

But he said restaurants now needed to know what restrictions they would have to work within to meet social distancing and public health requirements. “We don’t know what we will have to implement.”

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Announcing the date in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Ewing said the tourism and hospitality sector had been devastated by Covid-19.

“Businesses have gone from anticipating another bumper tourism season this summer to seeing their income drop to zero almost overnight.”

He said the Scottish Government had provided support to the sector beyond the money received from Westminster.

And Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and he had written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, asking for a discussion on further measures, including a review of VAT rates. “The UK Government must lead on a financial recovery plan for tourism in the UK, with significant funding attached, and we will use those consequentials for the industry in Scotland.”

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Mr Ewing said the industry needed clarity on when it could reopen and start on “the long road back to sustainability and growth”.

He said they needed to know what orders to place and when and have the confidence to take bookings while understanding the risks inherent in the continued presence of the virus.

Lockdown restrictions are due to be formally reviewed on June 18 and July 9. Mr Ewing said: “As things stand just now, our hope is that we will be able to give the go-ahead to a reopening of the sector at the July 9 review.

“On the clear understanding with the industry that nothing can be absolutely guaranteed at this stage, and that we may need to change this date if the evidence requires it, we would encourage tourism and hospitality businesses to prepare within appropriate safety guidelines for reopening on July 15. This timetable is by necessity both provisional and conditional. But we very much hope it can be met.”

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The Scottish Tourism Alliance hailed the announcement as a milestone on the road to recovery.

But chief executive Marc Crothall said: “It remains the case that urgent solutions or alternative measures must be found or taken to overcome the current two metre distancing restrictions to enable economic viability for many businesses.”

And he added: “A longer-term support package for the sector will definitely be needed to ensure the survival of many businesses over the coming nine months. Most are reliant on there being an optimum spring, summer and early autumn trading period to cover their costs and fixed overheads in the winter months and recovery projections are still likely to be slow.”

Emma McClarkin, of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said Mr Ewing’s announcement was positive news for pubs. “This gives some much-needed clarity for the sector and will also give industry the time necessary to put in place what is needed to reopen safely on July 15.”

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But she said two-metre social distancing rules could mean up to two-thirds of pubs would need to remain closed.

However, the STUC sounded a note of caution and called on employers to consult staff.

General secretary designate Rozanne Foyer said: “We will need to see a special health and safety risk assessment for each and every establishment that re-opens including viable rostering to ensure travel safety. Employers must commit to supporting contact tracing and not to penalise staff who obey public health guidance.”

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