A leading figure in the region’s wedding industry says he is “absolutely delighted” by the Scottish Government’s announcement of financial support.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced £15 million for the sector as part of a £185 million package aimed at helping businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Duncan McConchie, managing director of Laggan near Gatehouse, welcomed the move.
Mr McConchie, the founder of the newly-formed Scottish Wedding Industry Alliance, said: “We must thank the Scottish Government for being the first UK government to create a wedding sector specific funding package and for recognising the wedding industry as a vital sector in the Scottish economy.
“Weddings in this country support 14,000 small and medium-sized businesses and have an economic impact of £1.4 billion a year.
“This funding, whilst not as significant as the SWIA had hoped, will go a long way towards mitigating the impact that coronavirus has had on the wedding industry in Scotland.
“It will also give renewed hope and confidence to the many thousands of couples whose wedding plans have been affected by the pandemic restrictions as they planned their celebrations in Scotland, a leading wedding destination of the world.
“As has been widely publicised, the wedding sector has been one of the hardest hit by pandemic restrictions with no sector specific funding until now and with the majority of the industry having been all but shut since March.
“In addition, suppliers are seeing their 2021 weddings roll ever further forward. It is worth noting that the major difference between weddings and other hospitality sectors is that these weddings have not been lost – they have just been delayed.
“With support to reach the other side, the sector will bounce back like no other – from our cake makers, to our bands, to our florists and decorators, our photographers, our venues, and more.”
Mr McConchie believes more work still needs to be done.
He added: “Whilst this funding is extremely welcome and undoubtedly recognises the value of the wedding sector, it must be said that without being given a clear route map to reopening by the end of January, 2021, a recovery by April or May next year will present further difficulties for the sector.”
