Four prominent Kirkcudbrightshire hospitality businesses are pleading for help after losing out on Covid-19 cash aid.
The Balcary Bay Hotel, the Cally Palace, the Cocoa Bean at Twynholm and the Selkirk Arms are under lockdown and have no customers.
And in a second cash blow they have learned they do not qualify for a £25,000 cash lifeline.
They are ineligible under the Scottish Government scheme because their rateable values are higher than the £51,000 limit.
The loss means the businesses have no safety net and could face financial ruin.
Selkirk Arms Hotel owner Chris Walker has held talks with rural affairs secretary Fergus Ewing and Scottish secretary Alistair Jack MP on the issue.
Mr Walker said; “I told them both how urgent the situation is and that in over 30 years in business we’ve paid Dumfries and Galloway Council over £700,000 in rates.
“We just want some parity and fairness now or our doors won’t be reopening.”
He added; “The current non-repayable grants are a lifeline to many small businesses. But there needs to be a level playing field.
“Our rateable value is £65,000 yet we are expected to borrow our way out of this mess.
“But we have larger overheads to pay and monthly bills to meet.
“At this present moment in time a grant would be our only lifeline.”
Cocoa Bean company director Hannah Beck said: “It’s devastating – especially when we our rateable value of £52,000 is only £1,000 above the threshold.
“Without any financial help we stand to lose everything.
“We are very much a small business which relies heavily on weekend trade and school holidays such as Easter. That has obviously stopped dead.”
She added: “We are a family run business and we have put everything we have into growing into what we are today.”
Dee and Glenkens councillor Pauline Drysdale pledged to lobby the Scottish Government, the council and South of Scotland Enterprise for cash help.
She said: “These four businesses attract huge numbers of visitors to the Stewartry year on year.
“They all offer year-round employment in the locality.
“It’s devastating to think that they may be forced into closure due to the loss of bookings and the resultant financial pressures.
“All four need some form of help to get them through these difficult times.”
Deputy council leader Rob Davidson urged any business needing assistance to get in touch.
He said: “We know that the existing scheme does not cover every business which will need support.
The government support scheme offers 100 per cent rates relief for 12 months. Operators with rateable values below £18,000 receive £10,000.
