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Support for Highland businesses impacted by the Cairngorms wildfire
Support for Highland businesses impacted by the Cairngorms wildfire
Highland businesses impacted by the Cairngorms wildfire are to receive a share of up to £3million in support funding for “immediate relief”. The Scottish Government announced that the grants will be available through the Highland Council’s support scheme with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the fire, to maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery. The devastating blaze in Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore started on July 15 and burned for more than three weeks destroying thousands of acres of moor and woodland. Businesses, including Glenmore Campsite and Loch Morlich Watersports and Boathouse café, were forced to close as up to 500 firefighters tackled the wildfire and helicopters water-bombed the area. Nearby villages Glenmore and Nethy Bridge were evacuated with locals being put up in hotels. Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council, has welcomed the package. He said: “I am delighted because this has been a particularly traumatic time for all the businesses. “In Glenmore alone there are 17 businesses which haven’t traded now for over three weeks at the busiest time of the year.” Glenmore, which includes Loch Morlich and forest tracks, reopened to the public on Friday after Scottish Fire and Rescue were satisfied with all efforts to tackle hotspots. However they say it could be weeks before all hotspots and flare ups are extinguished. Co-owner of Glenmore Campsite, Brian Fulton, told the BBC: “It’s been pretty tough. We’ve only been shut for five or six per cent of the year, but we’ve lost 15 to 25 per cent of our turnover.” Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has had a significant impact on many businesses, particularly those premises within the cordon that have been unable to trade. “I want to thank business owners, employees and local residents for their patience and understanding of the necessary precautions put in place by emergency services to tackle the fire and maintain public safety. “We understand the difficult position that many now face which is why I am pleased to be able to confirm up to £3 million for the Highland Council to support affected businesses directly. “This will provide immediate relief for impacted businesses but we will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.” The Scottish Government has activated the Bellwin Scheme to support the Highland Council.
Highland businesses impacted by the Cairngorms wildfire are to receive a share of up to £3million in support funding for “immediate relief”.
The Scottish Government announced that the grants will be available through the Highland Council’s support scheme with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the fire, to maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery.
The devastating blaze in Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore started on July 15 and burned for more than three weeks destroying thousands of acres of moor and woodland.
Businesses, including Glenmore Campsite and Loch Morlich Watersports and Boathouse café, were forced to close as up to 500 firefighters tackled the wildfire and helicopters water-bombed the area.
Nearby villages Glenmore and Nethy Bridge were evacuated with locals being put up in hotels.
Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Bridge and Vicinity Community Council, has welcomed the package.
He said: “I am delighted because this has been a particularly traumatic time for all the businesses.
“In Glenmore alone there are 17 businesses which haven’t traded now for over three weeks at the busiest time of the year.”
Glenmore, which includes Loch Morlich and forest tracks, reopened to the public on Friday after Scottish Fire and Rescue were satisfied with all efforts to tackle hotspots.
However they say it could be weeks before all hotspots and flare ups are extinguished.
Co-owner of Glenmore Campsite, Brian Fulton, told the BBC: “It’s been pretty tough. We’ve only been shut for five or six per cent of the year, but we’ve lost 15 to 25 per cent of our turnover.”
Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has had a significant impact on many businesses, particularly those premises within the cordon that have been unable to trade.
“I want to thank business owners, employees and local residents for their patience and understanding of the necessary precautions put in place by emergency services to tackle the fire and maintain public safety.
“We understand the difficult position that many now face which is why I am pleased to be able to confirm up to £3 million for the Highland Council to support affected businesses directly.
“This will provide immediate relief for impacted businesses but we will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.”
The Scottish Government has activated the Bellwin Scheme to support the Highland Council.