The boss of a five-star hotel has written to the First Minister on behalf of the country’s hospitality industry urging immediate changes to the tighter Covid-19 measures introduced across the central belt.
Jill Chalmers, the Managing Director of Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae, is leading the campaign for change as she, alongside over 100 hoteliers, feel the decision to ban the sale of alcohol will lead to thousands of job losses because of a damaging drop in revenues.
The stricter rules mean that all pubs and restaurants in the central belt of Scotland, including Ayrshire and Arran, have had to close both indoors and outdoors until Sunday (October 25).
Hotels can still serve evening meals to residents but not with alcohol.
In a letter to the First Minister signed by over 100 hoteliers, Jill Chalmers, Managing Director of Glenapp Castle, said: “Not being able to sell alcohol in public areas to hotel residents in Scotland negatively impacts their stay and future guests are already starting to cancel their bookings.
“This measure in particular is threatening the small thread of revenue – a lifeline for many – which still exists for hotel businesses in Scotland at this difficult time.
“We urge you to reconsider this and allow hotel guests, staying a minimum of one night, to consume alcohol in all settings, not simply room service alone.
“In addition, we believe that we should be able to serve non-residents until 6pm, as a café is allowed to do.
“If there is no change, we have no doubt that we will suffer deeper losses.
“We are talking about trying to survive, not about profitability. Without this small change in your policy, there will be thousands more job losses in the coming month.”
Under the new rules, wedding parties already booked in at hotels are able to consume alcohol yet non-wedding guests nearby, staying under the same roof, are unable to.
Jill added: “You can imagine the pressure on hotel staff, and the potential threats they might face, having to negotiate with different guests over the measures.
“It is unreasonable to expect staff to deal with this especially if guests try and join the wedding groups in order to drink alcohol.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The temporary restrictions are absolutely essential if we are to prevent a return to the dangerous level of infections that we experienced earlier this year.
“We know that protecting lives and jobs is a difficult balance and we do not underestimate the challenge that these new measures present for businesses – particularly those in the hospitality sector.
“That is why we have committed £40 million to our new Covid-19 Restrictions Fund to help affected businesses and protect jobs.
“While we welcome the UK Government’s plans to adapt the job retention scheme and the associated consequential funding, we still require clarity on what the Chancellor’s announcement will mean for Scotland.”
