Hotel Support Programme – new covid fund launched

The core purpose of the Hotel Support Programme is to protect sustainable employment in the medium term within larger hotels in Scotland. It is highly targeted and can be used alongside other COVID-19 support schemes.

This programme offers tailored wrap-around business support from agencies including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise and VisitScotland. The agencies will work with Skills Development Scotland and local authorities where appropriate to put together an integrated and tailored support package. This package will help a targeted number of hotels invest and adapt in a way that protects locally important jobs in the medium to long term.

If your hotel is selected to take part in the programme following your expression of interest, the agencies will develop a support package in line with your individual needs. This could be made up of a mix of consultancy support, business advice and funding. Some examples of what may be included (although none are mandatory) are:

• a business review and diagnostics
• support for recruitment, training, developing job specs and upskilling
• help accessing apprenticeship programmes
• customer and market research
• help accessing loans or equity finance if appropriate
• market, process and product development
• international trade support and access to international networks
• grant funding of up to £250,000 per hotel to put towards additional costs and investment (including capital investment)

Funding can be used for a mix of operational costs and capital investment. Capital investment could include things like investing in new contactless technology and processes, upgrading accommodation or public areas to meet safety requirements or consumer behaviours, or other capital investment to help your hotel(s) adapt.

Funding will be awarded per individual hotel, while other support may be delivered per hotel or across the hotel group as appropriate. The support given will aim to help you achieve the following programme outcomes:

• protecting jobs at your hotel over the medium term – for example, by protecting the jobs of key employees until April 2021, or ensuring you can recruit new staff by April 2021. Given the uncertainties facing the sector, this timeframe may change depending on the performance of the sector and behaviour of visitors
• continuing to play a critical role in supporting the local economy and wider Scottish economy – for example, as a key employer, through use of local or national suppliers or through engagement with local businesses and communities
• a strong commitment to the priorities and principles of Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy, including developing fair work practices and reducing carbon emissions

Find out if your business is eligible at the find business support website.