Hope for help soon for B&B owners without business bank accounts
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Bed and breakfast establishments which operate without business bank accounts have received fresh hope that they can soon receive government financial support.
The Scottish Government confirmed this week it is investigating ways in which small businesses without business bank accounts can be supported.
Last week, Edward Mountain MSP, who launched the Help Our B&Bs campaign, criticised the Cabinet Secretary for Finance for excluding small B&Bs from vital financial support and pressed the Scottish Government to reconsider its position.
Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop, announced: “We are working with local authorities to support small businesses who are not on the rates system and were not eligible for the hardship fund scheme, solely because they did not have a business bank account. Further detail on these arrangements will be set out later this week.”
The Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprise Hardship Fund has now closed, meaning hundreds of small B&Bs have been left without financial support.
Following this announcement, Edward Mountain, Conservative MSP said: “Good news, I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government has finally heard the pleas from many small B&Bs across Scotland and, specifically, the Highlands and Islands.
"They need help and I trust the Scottish Government will now deliver.”
