Angus Masterchef finalist forced to scrap plans for Edinburgh restaurant
Coronavirus Daily Update: Exams for high school students in Scotland have also been cancelled
Last updated 19th Mar 2020
An Angus Masterchef finalist says he's had to scrap plans to open a new restaurant in Edinburgh at the eleventh hour.
It's as many eateries turn to takeaway services amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Dean Banks, who owns Haar in St Andrews, had everything in place to open a second site in the capital.
"We were full steam ahead with Edinburgh. We'd employed a general manager, a head chef and we were looking at opening in mid May," he said.
"The whole project was going ahead and we've lost tens of thousands of pounds as a business."
Mr Banks has been forced to lay off five workers as more and more customers choose to stay indoors.
"I know staff members that are the only earners in their household, I know their family names.
"I'm very close with my staff so this is very much about them at the moment. I'm trying to do as much as possible to try and keep them in work and keep them with a salary."
A new takeaway service offering fresh lobsters goes live this evening.
Education:
Examinations for high school pupils in Scotland have been cancelled for the first time.
A certification model will be used - based on coursework, previous attainment and teacher estimates of grades.
Local authorities are looking at ways to keep free school meals going including a voucher scheme and collection points.
Tayside:
Community centres in Dundee will close from tomorrow and food waste collections will stop.
Leader of Dundee City Council John Alexander said: “It is clearly not business as usual and I would like to thank everyone for their help and understanding during these difficult times.
“Covid-19 is already having a significant impact on all our lives and how we respond to this situation will be the measure of our city.”
Perth and Kinross Council says it will focus on "essential services" as it predicts staff absences to hit 50%.
Restrictions are being brought in to all Minor Injury and Illness Units in Perth and Kinross.
No one will be seen without an appointment.
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