Businesses in Aberdeen have called for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to be extended there after missing out due to the renewed lockdown.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland surveyed around 50 traders in the city and found four-fifths would support the move.
Hospitality businesses in Aberdeen were allowed to reopen today after three weeks under local lockdown restrictions imposed because of a coronavirus cluster.
The Eat Out to Help Out initiative, which subsidises the cost of eat-in meals from Mondays to Wednesdays, began on August 3 and is due to finish at the end of the month.
FSB members said they have lost between £2,000 and £50,000 from not being able to benefit from the initiative. An online petition supporting a local version has been signed more than 3,700 times.
David Groundwater, FSB's development manager for Aberdeen, said: "This snap poll clearly shows a majority of firms in Aberdeen are in favour of new help for the city's eateries.
"And no wonder, when the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a huge success across the UK, but Aberdeen locals and firms simply haven't had an opportunity to benefit.
"Aberdonians should be allowed to have a fair crack of the whip.
"An extension to the Eat Out to Help Out for our city doesn't need to come this week, or next, but it should be rolled out before the end of the year."
Restaurants, bars and cafes in Aberdeen reopened on Wednesday after being assessed by the local authority's Environmental Health and Trading Standards teams. As of Tuesday, 327 premises had been assessed.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “The Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a roaring success, not only giving firms a welcome shot in the arm but also encouraging people to rediscover the brilliant local restaurants, pubs and cafes on their doorstop.
“While it is important to get help to Aberdeen, we also think it’d be great for the Chancellor to explore whether a further UK-wide extension is possible.”
