Parkdean in firing line as it's 'business as usual' at its Embo holiday resort despite coronavirus
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The operator of a caravan park in Sutherland is coming under fire for not closing down because of the coronavirus crisis.
Local people are angry and concerned that Parkdean Resorts, which runs Grannie’s Hielan’ Hame Holiday Park in Embo, is continuing to operate.
The fear is that an insurge of holidaymakers will increase the risk of the virus spreading in the county and also put pressure on food supplies.
However Embo resident and local councillor Jim McGillivray has said that without a lock-down, people could not be stopped from accessing their own property - and many of the caravans are privately owned.
Facilities at the park include a pool, shop, bar and restaurant.
Parkdean runs a large number of holiday parks throughout Great Britain.
A post on its website states: “All our parks are open and it is business as usual.”
A sign outside the office at Grannie’s Hielan Hame, to which balloons were attached, asks visitors not to go into the village itself, stating that some Embo residents are “self-isolating”.
In an email to the Northern Times, Shirley Macdonald wrote: “It’s very worrying that this caravan site remains open.
“Our village of Embo is really worried as vehicles are arriving daily and nobody knows who to contact to help us get it closed.We are worried about the elderly and the vulnerable.
"The notices are not stopping people wandering round the village.
"Cars and caravans were arriving all afternoon today and folks stopping off in Dornoch for supplies at coop before heading to Embo.
"They just don’t care and seem to think that we have plenty food in the shops when that’s just not been the case this last few days. I think there only stocked up because it’s Friday and for the weekend.
"People are irresponsible. Seemingly folks have been seen sitting outside pub drinking and kids in play park on the site so much for distancing."
Sinky Fraser is urging people to contact local councillors and MSP Gail Ross to highlight the situation.
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Jim McGillivray told the Northern Times: “It’s a difficult situation – how do you prevent owners accessing their own property – their residential caravans – without any legal order?
“And that can only come from either Scottish Government under their 500-person gathering rule or UK Government under a lock-down edict.
“And what constitutes a 500-person gathering – there are tenements in Glasgow accommodating that number on one site? The UK Government really needs to make up its mind on whether there’s a lock-down or not.
“And next year, hopefully once this is all over, we’ll be begging tourists to come back. I’ve just walked round the site and there’s hardly anybody there except workmen.”
The Northern Times contacted Parkdean for comment by phone and email but so far have not received a response.
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