‘Inadequate’ support failing Fife businesses, says MP

Since Fife was put into Level 3 of Covid restrictions in the middle of November, meaning nobody outside Fife could travel into the Kingdom, and restaurants were not allowed to serve alcohol, businesses have voluntarily closed due to lack of custom.

Local business the Peat Inn decided it was no longer profitable to remain open and closed its doors. The restaurant has not been able to get financial support from the government – as it closed voluntarily before Fife was in Tier 4.

Head chef, Nick Briggs, said he felt that hospitality was being ‘unfairly singled out’ and was being made to jump through hoops.

Nick said: “It has become clear over the recent months that hospitality has become the scapegoat for the Covid pandemic.

“Hospitality has been made to jump through more hoops than any other industry. Since reopening we have served over 4000 guests, all of whom are required to provide details to track and trace and we have not had a single reported case.

“Hospitality is being unfairly singled out due to the fact we are required to have track and trace. I don’t need to sign in at the shops, the hairdressers, the mechanic or anywhere else for that matter so their role in the spread is not being documented.”

The Tarskavaig B&B, approximately a mile down the road from the Peat Inn, said that its business since the first lockdown has been at least 50 per cent made up of Peat Inn customers – so when the Peat Inn shut all but one of their bookings cancelled.

The Tarskavaig pays council tax instead of business rates and as a result has been ineligible for the hardship funds and rates relief and so has been excluded from support.

Fiona Jackson who runs the B&B said “We are now deep into winter and months after Fife was placed into Tier 3 and we are without help and without sympathy from the government.”

Following the debate in the House of Commons on Covid-19, MP Wendy Chamberlain said: “There will be many more small businesses like the Tarskavaig B&B across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Many more restaurants like the Peat Inn.

“The support has been insufficient. I have received too many emails from people who have dedicated their lives to setting up their local business – who are now telling me things are on the brink. We desperately need to ensure that the support measures which are available work.”

She added: “We all must do our bit to fight this virus and to protect the NHS as lives are on the line if we don’t.

“But businesses and livelihoods are also on the line.

“January is a difficult month for many in most years but as has been made obvious by local businesses and individuals getting in touch, that, after nearly a year of restrictions and months since Fife was placed in Level 3, many are really struggling to keep the lights on.

“The support from both the UK and Scottish Governments must match the restrictions if we are they are to survive the pandemic and form part of the recovery at the end of it.”