Calls have been made for an extension of business rates relief to support whisky distilleries during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said reliefs and grants on offer do not cover its members' visitor centres, as they do not fit within the definition of "leisure, retail and hospitality".

It said the businesses will need further support to help them through a time when production has been scaled back, with one distillery saying its centre amounted to 70% of its revenue.

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An SWA spokesman said: "The sweeping support measures set out by the UK and Scottish governments are welcome and offer important reassurance to business.

"There are, however, areas where more targeted support would benefit Scotch whisky producers, especially small distillers and those who also run visitor centres, shops and cafes which have had to close.

"As currently set out, many distilleries will continue to pay full business rates, despite some sites relying heavily on the income from visitor centres.

"We have called on the Scottish Government to extend the business rate relief and grants package to ensure that whisky distilleries are covered."

He added that a suspension of excise duty payments for at least six months would give distillers "much-needed breathing room".

The industry has already had reports of a drop-off in sales in Europe, Asia and North America.

William Wemyss, managing director of Kingsbarns Distillery in Fife, said smaller firms like his will be harder hit by the closure of visitor centres.

He said his business took around 70% of its revenue from such income.

Mr Wemyss added: "Our finances are OK, but who knows how long this will go on for?"

The Scottish Government has pledged to support businesses with a package of measures worth £2.2 billion.

It includes a full year's 100% non-domestic rates relief for retail, hospitality and tourism and £10,000 grants for firms in receipt of the small business bonus scheme or rural relief.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "In this public health crisis it is vital that all businesses align fully with the social distancing measures introduced to protect the nation's health, well-being and economic future."

Talks are continuing on Thursday over the fate of thousands of British Airways workers who face being laid off because of the coronavirus crisis.

The airline, which has grounded much of its fleet, has been in negotiations with the Unite union all week.

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Cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and head office staff are likely to have their jobs suspended but redundancies are not expected.

A Unite spokesman said: "Unite has been working around the clock to protect thousands of jobs and to ensure the UK comes out of this unprecedented crisis with a viable aviation sector.

"Talks with British Airways are ongoing and Unite's priority is always to communicate with our members, who are very anxious at this time but who understand the work that Unite is doing to protect jobs, incomes and futures."

Nadine Houghton, national officer of the GMB union, said: "GMB members working for BA are relieved to finally be nearing some sort of certainty after what has been an extremely worrying time.

"GMB and our sister union Unite have fought hard to secure members' terms, conditions and job security. We believe the current deal, which is nearing its conclusion, secures this.

"But there are significant challenges for the aviation industry and whilst the current deal gives security for BA staff now, the Government can't take its eye off the ball.

"We are calling for more Government intervention to protect the livelihoods of many more workers across the sector."

BA said talks were continuing.

Recruitment giant Hays has launched an emergency £200 million investor cash call after seeing fees plummet as firms have frozen hiring plans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The group warned it expects full-year earnings to be "materially" lower than expected after seeing a "very material deceleration" in recruitment activity since mid-March, with the impact being felt most in Europe.

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It is unable to estimate the hit but said it is set to be "substantial".

Fees have fallen the most across permanent recruitment, which accounts for 42% of group income, with the private sector also badly impacted.

Fellow recruiter Robert Walters also said it has slashed its costs by more than 15% and is applying for a raft of government subsidies around the world.

It is also axing its final shareholder divi payout, but sought to assure it "believes that the business is well-placed to cope with future uncertainties".
Shares in Hays tumbled as much as 18% at one stage on opening, later standing around 9% down, while Robert Walters was 2% lower.


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