Call for financial support for Highlands' businesses if restrictions stepped up

The FSB has said that the Scottish Government must step in with more financial support if further restrictions are introduced due to Omicron.

David Richardson, Federation of Small Businesses’ Highlands and Islands Development Manager said that Thursday's call to 'defer' Christmas parties had been a hammer blow not only for businesses affected directly but also due to the message this sent out.

Mr Richardson said: “Clearly, the rapid spread of the Omicron variant is worrying us all, and while health experts establish the precise level of the threat, and politicians agonise over how best to protect the country, many businesses, and especially those in tourism and hospitality, retail and other customer-facing trades will be deeply worried at what is happening.

"For it’s not just about deferring Christmas parties, extremely damaging to the businesses concerned though this be.

"It’s about the way the general public reacts to the words of the First Minister, Public Health Scotland and others.

"What impact will they have on the desire of shoppers and others to go out and about in the run-up to Christmas, and on the many Highland businesses that depend on them?

“Small, local, independent businesses have travelled a long and rocky road since March 2020, and until a few short weeks ago they were hoping that life was returning to near normal and that 2022 would be the year to rebuild.

"This is now threatened and, while understanding that politicians are, of course, responsible for safeguarding society and protecting the NHS, they will be preying that they understand just how precarious the position for many businesses is and that they will ensure that their decisions are always appropriate and proportionate.

"Should the worst happen, and further restrictions have to be introduced, they will also trust that governments will step in with fresh financial support as necessary.”

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