Skye is Scotland’s second most popular destination. The data shows that visitor numbers continue to grow each year and now exceed pre-covid levels. It is alarming that a destination like Skye faces the real possibility of not having a body...
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March 19, 2021
Keeping You Informed – 19th March 2021
Our round up of the latest news and information affecting livelihood and businesses on Skye.
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HSBC SME Fund
‘HSBC UK has today launched a £650 million fund for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland, part of a broader £15 billion lending fund to support SMEs across the UK, as part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate and grow as the country looks to rebound from the Covid-19 health crisis.
The Fund, which includes over £10 billion of specific regionally focussed allocations, will seek to ensure that companies throughout the country can benefit, supporting regional economies, employment opportunities and driving growth.’
Full Details: https://scottishbusinessnews.net/hsbc-uk-launch-650m-sme-fund-to-support-businesses-in-scotlandF
Scottish Technology review
“In May 2020, Mark Logan was commissioned by Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, to undertake a short-life review into how Scotland’s technology sector can contribute to the country’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. The review’s recommendations are primarily concerned with stimulating and accelerating the maturity of Scotland’s “Technology Ecosystem”. By this we mean the system, in its widest sense, that supports and nurtures technology businesses in Scotland, from the early start-up phase through to fully scaled maturity.”
Full Details: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-technology-ecosystem-review/
Additional £2.6m award for Highlands & Islands tourism
“Four projects in the Highlands and Islands will share a £2.6 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) award to promote the outstanding scenery, wildlife and culture of the Highlands and Islands, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing, announced today.”
Full Details: https://www.nature.scot/additional-ps26m-award-highlands-islands-tourism
STA Annual Conference
Wednesday 24th March from 1000-1300
“The Scottish Tourism Alliance, the leading representative body for the tourism sector in Scotland will host its first virtual annual national tourism conference next week.
Entitled ‘Looking Forward…’, the event has been structured around the ‘Outlook 2030’ tourism strategy themes of sustainability, experiences, people and place to offer delegates the most relevant insights to enable effective recovery.
A record number of bookings have come flooding in since we launched the programme two weeks ago – just under 800 people have booked to attend so far!”
Full Details: https://mailchi.mp/stalliance/conference-5007110?e=d49a0f2ee3
STA Press Release from easing lockdown
“The First Minister’s announcement of an indicative timeline for the phased reopening of our tourism and hospitality sector will be massively welcomed by the sector today; it is the most positive news we have received in a long time.
The STA has been in discussion with the Scottish Government on almost a daily basis over the past few weeks to highlight the need for a clearer route out of lockdown to be given to tourism businesses and our supply chain, not only to allow for the necessary timeframe to plan for reopening, but to protect the many thousands of jobs which are at risk.
Today’s announcement will offer some very much needed light at the end of what has been the darkest tunnel for our industry.”
Full Details:
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