Club owners left frustrated as they miss out on funding after being included in 'leisure' sector
Tony Cochrane who owns qualifying venues in Aberdeen and Glasgow says the payments received by nightclubs was less than half what they'd anticipated.
Nightclub owners across the country say they were left shocked after receiving far less Government funding that they'd anticipated.
Earlier this month the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced top-up payments of up to ÂŁ25,000.
Up to ÂŁ9,000 was promised to leisure businesses, which the Scottish Government say includes nightclubs.
But Tony Cochrane who owns Club Tropicana in both Aberdeen and Glasgow, among others, says owners of clubs had anticipated to be included as hospitality, and questioned why they haven't been.
He said: "In the past it was never the case, leisure has always been the likes of sports halls, swimming pools gyms."
"There's obviously frustration in that as we still aren't open until Tier 0, but the hospitality venues getting 25 are open in tier 3"
Mr Cochrane also questioned how some 'hybrid-bars' are allowed to access funding for night clubs, such as the grants of ÂŁ50,000 last year, but are also included as 'hospitality' venues.
"It's not been fully thought out by Scottish Government"
"There are some hybrid bars/nightclubs which will receive the full 25 thousand, but a full blown night club that opens restricted hours is refused."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“We understand that all businesses face significant difficulties during the pandemic and we are committed to providing continued assistance, within our limited resources."
“Last year, grants of up to £50,000 were made available to night clubs via the COVID-19 Contingency Fund and nightclubs are also eligible for 100% non-domestic rates relief in 2020-21. Additionally, our Strategic Framework Business Fund further pays monthly grants of up to £3,000 for businesses required by law to close and up to £2,100 for those that can remain open but are required by law to modify their operations."
“Since the start of the pandemic our support for business and the economy has reached almost £3 billion – more than a third of our total coronavirus (COVID-19) funding, demonstrating our commitment to provide as much help as we possibly can.”