Borders businesses need more support

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont, his Conservative colleague Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, and Scottish Borders Council leader Shona Haslam are calling on the Scottish Government to support to businesses following a recommendation that the region enters Tier 2 when the new system comes into force on Monday, November 2.

Mr Lamont insists that businesses and livelihoods in the Borders “cannot be an afterthought” when it comes to further restrictions being introduced and is backing the Scottish Conservatives’ call for a business advisory council to be built in to the system to help protect jobs, while Mrs Hamilton said it was vital that the Scottish Government provided the businesses with the required support.

Describing the difference to businesses in Tier one, two or three as “huge”, Ms Haslam added: “We have to make sure that we get this right for all our businesses in the Borders.

“I am going to be working with the Scottish Government to make sure we are in the right tier to protect lives and the right support is in place for businesses so they can survive through the winter.”

The Pavilion Bingo Club in Galashiels is among the businesses that would suffer under current Tier 2 rules.

The club, which reopened its doors in Market Street on Tuesday, would have to close again under Tier 2. Owner Ryann Stisi is questioning why, when there have been no Covid-19 cases linked to bingo clubs, the Borders Bingo Club and others have to close while cinemas and amusements can remain open.

He said the club had opened to ensure no staff were made redundant, adding: “We also have a duty to our customers; living in a rural area can be quite isolating. This is a chance for them to have a bit of fun and see their friends again.”