The SGA has welcomed the news that sporting businesses look likely to be eligible to apply for Scottish Government's new creative, tourism and hospitality enterprises hardship fund.
The new funding, now open for applicants, was formalised today by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop as part of an overall £100m tranche of new business support.
With sporting activities locked out of the previously announced £10 000 grants, announced early in the lockdown, the SGA and other organisations actively pursued the sector's case with Government.
The SGA communicated with Ministers Fergus Ewing and Kate Forbes and was involved in 6 teleconferences with Scottish Govt Ministers and officials, highlighting the different ways sporting businesses operate, along with representatives from Scottish Land and Estates.
ADMG pursued the case for the deer sector and BASC, too, built a political case.
SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said: "When the sporting sector was left out of funding, initially, it seemed to be partly because of a lack of understanding of how sporting businesses work.
"Not all are large estates. There are many smaller businesses and self employed operating within the sector and they were clearly being left out of the available schemes and falling through the cracks. Ourselves and SLE provided as much guidance and direction on this as we could during teleconferences. Everyone has played a part and it is encouraging that we now look to be getting somewhere.
"Obviously, people will need to apply and we will be doing all we can to ensure those entitled get their payments through quickly because it will be a lifeline for so many."
Fisheries should also be looking to access the fund, with angling representing a significant tourism draw in Scotland.
To find out more, and to apply, see: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/coronavirus/creative-or-tourism-and-hospitality-enterprises-hardship-fund
