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Concerns grow for Badenoch and Strathspey accommodation providers over 'short term lets' legislation





Ministerial efforts to allay the fears of local B&Bs and self-catering businesses over forthcoming short-let regulations have failed, it has been claimed.

Many claim they could be forced to shut if the new licensing law goes ahead in April as currently proposed.

Kingussie Business Forum members Janet and Roger Crawford, who run Glengarry B&B in the town, are among those with concerns for their business.

janet at glengarry
janet at glengarry

They took part in a virtual meeting on the short-term lets proposals last Tuesday, attended by Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross.

Some 150 B&Bs and self-catering businesses took part, and they highlighted their concerns over proposed licensing of the sector.

The Scottish Government is behind the move aimed at curbing the soaring number of properties being snapped up for short-term lets for Airbnb, which is hitting housing supply in tourism areas. Accommodation providers fear the extra costs of being in a licensing scheme run by councils could be unwieldy, expensive and onerous, and have unintended consequences.

Some had expressed support for a light-touch accommodation registration scheme, but fear ministers have gone too far.

Mrs Crawford said afterwards: “There was not one person in attendance in agreement with the proposals for a licence. The organiser of the Association of Scottish Self-caterers stated that she felt after consultation with their members, that around 50 per cent would have to close if this was introduced.

“Many felt there was an ulterior motive in the proposed legislation relating to lack of housing in Scotland in general.

“There will be considerably less accommodation available for prospective guests in Scotland when all this is over. Some of the stories were heartbreaking.”

Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes recently told the Strathy the deadline for the licensing scheme had been extended to April 2023 to provide some “breathing space”, recognising the industry was going through the “most awful time”.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP

But Mrs Crawford said: “Whether these new regulations are brought in this year, next year or in 2023, they will be disastrous to

the industry and there should be full consultation prior to any action being taken. It will once again miss those who are operating under the parapet

and increase the burden

for those bona fide businesses.”

Mr Ross said he had heard the frustration and anger expressed at the meeting after a very difficult 10 months and with so much uncertainty still ahead.

He said: “It is clear it has been an uphill battle for the industry. While the Scottish Government has paid lip service to the Scottish tourism sector, it has failed to back it up with the financial support required.

“I can assure those in the sector that myself and my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament will continue to stand up for them in the coming weeks and months ahead.

The Scottish Government has said a working group is being set up to take on board views from the sector.


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