AQW 13801/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 01/02/2021
Answered On Date: 24/03/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) to provide a rationale for excluding hotels under £50,000 NAV, self-catering accommodation, hostels and bunk houses from tourism sector-specific COVID-19 Business Support Schemes; and (ii) to detail whether she will extend sector-specific support to such businesses.

Answer:

My Department has introduced a number of Schemes aimed at supporting our tourist accommodation providers. Most recently, we introduced the Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme which seeks to support tourist accommodation establishments in these sectors which were required to close between March 2020 and the start of July 2020, with many unable to access grant support. In addition, when re-opened, many of these establishments experienced significantly reduced levels of demand (and the opportunity to generate much needed revenue) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I am aware that Hostels and Bunk Houses, which offer shared accommodation, also experienced reduced levels of demand over the summer, with a number of establishments also unable to access grant support. The Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme has, therefore, been extended to include hostels and bunkhouses.

Hotels and guest accommodation premises with an NAV below £51k were eligible for £10k or £25k Covid Business Support Schemes, made available by my department during the spring/early summer lockdown, whereas those with an NAV above £51k received no such support at that time. During the current lockdown period extended from October to early March, all such business premises continue to be eligible for support under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme.

Self-catering establishments, especially in rural and coastal areas, experienced a more positive summer in 2020, due to increased consumer confidence in respect of the self-contained nature of self-catering establishments. My Department has not introduced a Scheme aimed specifically at the Self-catering sector, however the sector is able to access support under the Local Restrictions Support Scheme. I am acutely aware that 2021 will be another challenging year for tourism and my officials will monitor the position in respect of our tourist accommodation industry. Should the self-catering sector, or other accommodation sectors, require support this year I will consider bringing forward an appropriate scheme, subject to budget availability.