RETAILERS were unhappy with Nicola Sturgeon’s proposals for a five-tier system, saying the closing of non-essential businesses over Christmas could mean the end for some stores.
The Scottish Retail Consortium director David Lonsdale was sceptical that shutting up shop would blunt the spread of Covid.
He said: “We believe any move to close non-essential retailers will have only a very minimal impact on reducing the spread of the virus, whilst carrying very significant economic harms.
“Retail has demonstrated that it can operate safely in the current environment and it is notable that there was no spike in infections following the lifting of lockdown on non-essential shops at the end of June.” He added: “Any attempt to close non-essential stores during the golden Christmas shopping quarter may mean many are unable to reopen, having missed out on this vital trading period.”
Non-essentials shops will have to close in areas placed in Level 4, though they will still be able to operate click and collect services.
READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Christmas may be digital but that won't stop Santa
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, welcomes the framework, saying it helped give firms more clarity about the future.
Stephen Montgomery, spokesman for the Scottish Hospitality Group, was unhappy.
He said the new financial support package was “the equivalent of being abandoned at sea with only a lifejacket".
He said: “Since March, pubs and restaurants have effectively been closed for 20 weeks – whether by force or by the nature of the restrictions – and have only been trading for 12 weeks.
“No other sector has faced this level of sacrifice.
“More levels are just another example of an unnecessarily complex system that leaves both businesses and the public confused.
“The hospitality industry is still left bearing the brunt with no scientific, statistical, or medical evidence for these restrictions.
“We are tired of hearing that the numbers ‘may’ or ‘might’ or ‘could’ be impacted by our ongoing economic ‘sacrifices’.
“It seems ludicrous that it is too early to see the effect on case numbers for hospitality yet current measures on household gatherings are determined as having an impact.”
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