Hospitality businesses need support, not guidance says Aberdeen bar owner
"Yesterday between 12 and 5 I served 12 people in the city centre of Aberdeen" the hospitality sector is being hit hard by the stay at home plea
As new Covid guidance is published for retail and hospitality businesses, an Aberdeen bar owner is telling Northsound News it's proper support that they need.
Guidance which comes into place from midnight (December 17th) suggests venues put in place table service where possible, utilise PPE and screens and that one way systems are used.
This is not being put into law, meaning businesses cannot receive financial support.
Earlier this week the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said ÂŁ100 Million is being made available to those hit by the wave of Christmas party cancellations - but it's not clear when that will arrive.
Stuart McPhee who is Director of Siberia Vodka Bar in Aberdeen told us:
"We are very much in limbo
"Yesterday between 12 and 5 I served 12 people in the city centre of Aberdeen."
Mr McPhee suggests much of the guidance issued today is already being followed by many venues, but things like full table service will not be possible for many businesses without financial support.
But he tells us that the plea from the First Minister for people to stay home and limit social contact is what is hitting businesses like his the hardest.
READ MORE: Sturgeon asks Scots to stay home
"Businesses are stuck in this hardship where they don't know what they should do for right or for wrong.
"What do we do to pay our staff before Christmas, what do we do to make sure our bills are paid and the lights are on?
"I really don't think we are far off the point where something has to give to be honest.
"It's heart-breaking it's absolutely heart-breaking to still be in this position." McPhee summed on.
On what the industry needs he said:
"There really needs to be a more joined up approach from the governments, the UK government really needs to listen to the concerns of what's happening in Scotland.
"We need to see the re-introduction of either a sector specific or a broader furlough scheme for people who are going to lose out, and protect the jobs that need to be protected."