Business owners and staff share their thoughts and feelings the day after the First Minister announced even tougher measures on Scotland’s bars and restaurants.
The voices in this video include that of Rosie Jack, manager of Bowhouse Market, who confirmed the event will be going ahead as planned this weekend (October 10 and 11) from 10am to 4pm, in what she hopes will be a boost to local food and drink producers affected by new hospitality restrictions.
She said: “We’re still in line with government guidance and have tried and tested measures in place to make sure our customers, staff and traders are safe during these times.
“It’s sad and terrible news for all those hospitality businesses that do have to close with these new restrictions that have been put in place. It’s a real blow for everyone and we hope that by hosting this market weekend in a safe manner we can continue to support these local traders that come along to Bowhouse to sell their produce.
“So many things have been cancelled this year and they really want to get back to work and show you their amazing produce.”
They also include Will Docker of Balgove Larder in Fife, a farm with shop, butchery steakhouse and café, who said: “It’s going to be very hard on the industry. We’ve all been struggling this year generally despite some strong government support, but this is a serious blow to the industry which was unexpected to say the least.
“We expected some additional restrictions but this is a broad brush across the whole nation as well as being particularly hard on the central belt. As an industry we trade on a very fine line and we need as much reserve to get us through the winter as possible. It’s been hard this year to build up anything and unfortunately I do see this as being very very tough on an industry that is very fragile at the best of times.”
