Fife aquarium appeals for financial support after Scottish Government application declined

John Mace, who runs the family-owned aquarium, has had difficulties accessing the financial packages put in place by the Scottish Government.

Mr Mace applied online for access to the Pivotal Resilience Fund – a £45 million fund for viable and vulnerable small and medium-sized enterprises. However, at the pre-application stage his business was immediately declined for support.

UK Government support announced last week means that if you run a licensed zoo or aquarium in England and are experiencing severe financial difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, you can apply for a grant of up to £100,000. The same support, however, is not available in Scotland.

“St Andrews Aquarium has been a successful and vibrant addition to the local economy for decades and is now the oldest Aquarium in Scotland,” said John. “However, now due to no fault of our own we are struggling to survive until the lockdown is lifted.

“As a successful local business providing for the economy and carrying breeding programs for endangered species, we are also a valuable environmental and public service. The government support is there to help businesses exactly like ours and all we wish to do is receive the support needed to re-open when it is safe to do so.”

MP Wendy Chamberlain has written to the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes asking what will be done to support the zoo and aquarium sector in Scotland.

“It is difficult to understand how, if all essential eligibility criteria have been met by an application, it can simply be dismissed at the first hurdle with no explanation and no opportunity for further support,” she said.

“Zoological businesses are quite unique with ongoing costs during the outbreak. The business meets the fund criteria and is being denied the opportunity to be properly considered. This aquarium is vital to the St Andrews economy as well as delivering conservational and educational benefits. I hope that the Finance Secretary with recognise this and offer support.”