BEFS COVID-19 Update

Thank you to all those who completed Historic Environment Scotland’s sector survey. As soon as results are available (preliminary findings expected w/c 18th May) we will share them with the sector.

Previous Updates spoke to the challenging financial situation for the sector (and the economy more widely) and the news from the National Trust for Scotland this week regarding their own emergency illustrates the scale of challenge that needs to be acknowledged sector wide.

Perhaps the news of the furlough scheme extension will aid circumstances for some organisations, but there remains concern that the furlough period (both full and transitional) may not be long enough to truly benefit those connected to the tourism market.

More positive news for tourism is the new Visit Scotland Destination & Sector Support Fund.  This one-off programme, open to all groups that have a membership base made up of entirely or predominantly tourism businesses, will award up to 50% of membership income that is under threat due to coronavirus. Open until Friday 22nd May.

UK Government self-employed income support scheme opened early on the 13th of May – details can be found here.

In other news the Low Emission Zones, due to come into force in several cities across Scotland are currently stalled, which speaks of funding being refocused and reprioritised.

BEFS continues to monitor legislative and Planning changes (such as those referred to in the Chief Planner’s Letters), and the passage of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill through the Scottish Parliament.

We have updated our COVID-19 Funding Advice page with details of additional funding made available to small businesses, the reopening of the Wellbeing Fund for applications, as well as new finance for SME House Builders.

BEFS will be providing these short updates weekly when relevant information for the built environment sector becomes available, in addition to the fortnightly bulletin.