On specific new funding for night club and soft play businesses from the Scottish Government, as well as the announcement that guidance on how soft play businesses will be able to reopen is to be published this week, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“This new funding support for clubs and soft play centres provides an essential lifeline to important areas of the economy that have forced to remain closed since the start of lockdown. These businesses are facing great difficulties and this support from the COVID-19 Contingency Fund addresses some of the gaps we have identified in business support schemes so far. It almost goes without saying that it is vital these grants are now rolled out as quickly as possible.

“It is very positive that, at last, we will have guidance on when soft play centres might be able to reopen. Not only will it be a great boon for parents and carers of young people, but the sector has been Covid-safe for some time and deserves the opportunity to begin trading again.

“We urge the Scottish Government to continue to work with these businesses to support the safe reopening of soft play centres, to protect the jobs and livelihoods within the sector.”