CTA chair Robert Shaw has written to minister Paul Scully following the latest government guidance on the new Restart grants for businesses affected by lockdowns. The guidance inexplicably singled out coach tour operators as not eligible for the Restart grant, although those with travel shops and retail premises may qualify.
Robert Shaw pointed out to the minister that coach tour operators had been forced to stop all activities in the lockdown in the same way as non essential retail and other sectors. He also reminded Paul Scully that his colleague, tourism minister Nigel Huddleston had urged local authorities to consider applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) in a speech in the House of Commons. CTA is calling on the government to ensure that coach tour operators who are prevented from receiving other grants including Restart, can receive support through ARG.
Since the publication of the new Restart guidance last week, CTA has been actively lobbying government departments DCMS and BEIS regarding the need to provide greater assurance that applications for grant support from coach tour operators are considered. As a result of this pressure alongside other organisations including the Tourism Alliance, the ARG guidance has been changed to encourage councils to provide grants to group travel and tour operators (which we have been informed includes coach operators). Para 27 now reads:
Local Authorities are encouraged to support businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions, but are not eligible for the Restart Grant scheme. This may include, but is not limited to, group travel and tour operators, other tourism businesses (including B&Bs and event industry suppliers), wholesalers, English language schools, breweries, freelance and mobile businesses (including caterers, events, hair, beauty and wedding related businesses), wraparound care providers, and other businesses that may have not received other grant funding. This list is not directive nor exhaustive, and Local Authorities should continue to issue grants at their discretion, based on local economic needs.
It is therefore clear that local councils should consider applications for support through the ARG, and it would be helpful to receive feedback from members on their experiences with local authorities. Please email relevant details to us at admin@coachtourismassociation.co.uk
