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It’s always difficult putting news in a magazine when you are in the midst of a pandemic - no sooner than you put it to print than somethng happens. So from next month we will have our new website up and running too. Martin Creed paid a visit to The Fife Arms to re-launch the hotel and see his latest installation (on the Cover) unveiled. I’m sure it will give everyone hope who passes and I hope the the sentiments give you hope too - Everything is going to be alright. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

The news that research shows that 47% of hospitality and tourism jobs in Scotland could be lost if there is another lockdown, and at the least, with an economic downturn looming a quarter of jobs are a risk due to businesses going bust, does not come as much of a surprise to the hospitality industry which has been warning of this jobs armageddon for months. Hospitality needs more support and the £14 million hotel package although very well - is only a drop in the ocean!

Plans have been unveiled for a brand new whisky hotel that comes complete with a whisky fountain and free dram on check-in - but its not in Scotland it is in LA. The man behind it is restaurateur Adolfo Suaya and its name Whisky Hotel. I am surprised no one has thought of doing that here.

Stephen Montgomery, who many of you will know, is setting up a new collaboration. It isn’t replacing any other trade organisation - and it is not fee orientated - but it aims to reflect the views of entrepreneurs - whether they be hoteliers or publicans. It’s purpose is to supply much needed information directly to the folk that need it most - youIt will feed into government on issues which operators are concerned about, and market and PR the Scottish industry. I hope you will support it. More to follow.

There are more questions than answers at the moment but one which is a real worry - not just for employers and employees too is ‘ Who pays the wages of staff when, and if, they have to self-isolate for 14 days? What if test and protect tell you all staff have to go home and isolate for a fortnight. If you are doing all the mitigations right you shouldn’t have to close but you may have to because you won’t be able to staff Lastly but by no means least - Hotel Scotland has a sister magazine called DRAM and we run the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards - which will take place this year. If there is anyone that you think deserves an accolade let me know. We will be giving an award to Hotel of the Year - and it will be based around their efforts during Covid-19.

Glass & Ice

SIMS Glass & Ice are Scotland’s premier supplier of Glass Washers, Dishwashers, Ice Making Machines & Bottle Coolers.

GLASS & ICE

46 Dalsholm Road Glasgow G20 0TD. Tel: 0141 946 0444 www.simsautomatics.co.uk