Pubs and restaurants say restricted opening hours and the continuation of the ban on indoor drinking will make it “exceptionally difficult” for venues to make ends meet.
Other industries, such as retail, expressed relief at Nicola Sturgeon’s confirmation that the lockdown rules on the Scottish mainland are to be further eased from April 26. That will include the opening of all shops as well as hospitality businesses, tourism providers and gyms.
Stephen Montgomery, spokesman for the Scottish Hospitality Group, said the new rules were not coherent and that he was “more confused than ever at a decision which makes no sense”.
Pointing to information on the Scottish government’s website, which suggests 50 guests can now attend wedding receptions with alcohol, he said: “We’ve argued for a sensible relaxing of the alcohol rules for many months now, so it’s ridiculous that this is only being applied to all-day weddings but not other indoor socialising,” he said.
“You can toast the bride and groom in the function suite but you can’t have a glass of wine on a first date in the restaurant next door.”
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Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the announcement offered little “solace for businesses who are ready to safely open up now”. She also pointed out that the government has made it difficult to plan for reopening in Level 3 by not providing clear guidance. “The lack of this detail leaves businesses in the dark and we need to see the levels criteria published quickly,” she said.
Those operating licensed premises were also aggrieved, particularly as England is moving more quickly out of lockdown with pubs and restaurants already allowed to serve customers outdoors.
In Scotland hospitality businesses need to close by 8pm indoors and by 10pm outdoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said the announcement “falls short of what is required to make licensed premises viable”.
She said: “We desperately need a return to licensing hours indoors as well as allowing alcohol to be sold indoors from April 26.
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“The first minister points to indoor reopening being ahead of England, but without alcohol service it is meaningless to licensed hospitality businesses and little comfort to Scottish brewers and other parts of the supply chain who will see no benefit.
“While many sectors are allowed to return to near-normal at Level 3, retaining a curfew makes trading exceptionally difficult for Scotland’s pubs and bars who feel they are being unfairly targeted by these restrictions.”
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: “By our reckoning it will not be viable for about two thirds of the licensed trade to reopen on April 26.
“England has reopened its hospitality industry so let’s fall into line with our colleagues south of the border.”
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, acknowledged that many hospitality firms would not be able to operate as they would wished but said the changes would “bolster many hundreds of accommodation providers, other hospitality businesses and their suppliers”.
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The Scottish Retail Consortium estimates the industry has lost out on about £2 billion of sales since non-essential stores were closed on Boxing Day. Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy, said: “Shop reopening alone will not be a silver bullet for the industry. The cumulative impact of this lockdown has been immense. It will take time for retailers to recover, especially while town and city centre footfall remains depressed. Hopefully the confirmation that travel restrictions are being relaxed will be the start of shoppers returning to our high streets.”
It is hoped that from May 17 pubs will be able to open indoors until 10.30pm with cinemas among the other venues that could reopen then.
From April 16
• People will be able to leave their local authority area for socialising, recreation or exercise, although travel between the mainland and some islands will not be permitted.
• Rules on gatherings will be relaxed, with six adults from up to six households able to meet outside.
From April 26
• Up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a public place, such as a café or restaurant.
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• Hospitality venues such as cafés, pubs and restaurants can open until 8pm indoors — but without alcohol — and 10pm outdoors where alcohol is allowed.
• Gyms can open for individual exercise. All shops and close contact services can open. Tourist accommodation can open with restrictions.
• Driving lessons and tests can resume.
• Funerals and weddings including post-funeral events and receptions, can take place with up to 50 people, but no alcohol may be served.
• Indoor attractions and public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries can open.
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• Travel will be allowed to other parts of Britain, with reviews planned on journeys to Northern Ireland and the Republic.
From May 17
• Up to four people from two households can socialise indoors.
• Hospitality venues can open and sell alcohol indoors until 10.30pm or outdoors until 10pm.
• Outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart.
• Cinemas, amusement arcades, and bingo halls open.
• Small outdoor and indoor events can resume subject to capacity constraints.
• Face-to-face support services can resume where it is not possible to deliver them remotely.
• Universities and colleges can return to a more blended model of learning.
• Non-professional performance arts can resume outdoors.
• Communal worship can increase, subject to capacity constraints.
From early June
• Up to six people from up to three households can socialise indoors in a home or public place.
• Hospitality can remain open until 11pm.
• Attendance at events can increase, subject to capacity constraints.
• Indoor non-contact sport can take place.
• Numbers of guests at weddings, funerals and in places of worship may be able to increase.
From late June
• A phased return of some office staff.