Groups representing retail and hospitality businesses have called for additional flexibility from the Scottish Government, claiming current plans fail to offer any solace to firms. Under new plans announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday, people will be able to leave their local authority area for the purposes of socialising, recreation or exercise, from Friday. Rules on gatherings will also be relaxed, with six adults from up to six households able to meet up outside. Scotland’s current lockdown easing plan will see cafes, restaurants and beer gardens open on April 26, along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums. However, hospitality will need to close their doors at 8pm indoors and 10pm outdoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.
Business confidence up in March but one in five firms expect to cut jobs
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Business confidence up in March but one in five firms expect to cut jobs
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Almost a third of Scottish SMEs said they had invested in energy efficient equipment or machinery this past year By Kristy Dorsey More than half of small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland remain committed to improving sustainability despite the economic pressures of Covid-19, a new survey has found. According to the Business Barometer produced by the commercial arm of Bank of Scotland, 56 per cent of SMEs in Scotland said becoming more environmentally sustainable is important to their business. That was just 13 percentage points down on the same period a year ago, before the pandemic took hold. Pressure from customers is the top driver for improvements, cited by 20% of those questioned. This was followed by long-term cost savings (19%) and compliance with corporate social responsibility policies (14%).