Updates for Businesses
A round up of opportunities and information for businesses in the National Park.
Short Term Lets Update
The new short-term lets licensing scheme will come into effect in Scotland from 1 October 2022. If you run a short-term let businesses it is important to understand what the new legislation means to you. You can find out more from Visit Scotland and Scottish Government websites.
Your local authority will also have useful advice specific to your area:
Business Energy Support
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme for Businesses was announced by the UK Government to address rising energy prices for non-domestic energy customers, such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations. to support growth, prevent unnecessary insolvencies, and protect jobs.
This will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers; the level of price reduction for each business will vary depending on their contract type and circumstances. As with the Energy Price Guarantee for households, businesses do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support. Support (in the form of a p/kWh discount) will automatically be applied to bills. For full details visit The Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) have launched a snapshot survey to gauge the impact of the scheme for tourism businesses. The survey is aimed at clearly demonstrating the need for the sector to continue to receive this support. Your input will help to represent the tourism and hospitality industry in the coming months. The results of the survey will provide comprehensive feedback to the UK Government on the impact that energy prices and the rising cost of doing business is having on the sustainability of businesses, workforces, and wider communities. The survey has 10 questions and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and the survey will close at 5pm on Thursday 6th October.
Rising costs, alongside a decline in disposable income for our customers, mean that the coming months will be challenging for the tourism and events industry. Many businesses are facing difficult decisions and are having to consider how they adapt their operations. VisitScotland have produced a useful online advice resource to help with reducing the cost of running a tourism and events business.
The Find Business Support website also gives access to wider business support, not specific to tourism and events. It collates the latest information on the free advice and support available from Scotland’s public sector business support network.
‘The cost of doing business’ from Find Business Support provide is updated regularly signposting to services and you can also sign up for regular emails to keep you updated.
Digital Boost webinars
VisitScotland, in conjunction with Business Gateway’s DigitalBoost programme will be running a range of free digitally-focused webinars for tourism businesses later this year.
- Digital fundamentals for tourism businesses – 27/10/2022
- Tourism businesses: make your website work for your customers – 1/11/2022
- Tourism businesses : make Instagram work for you – 3/11/2022
- Tourism businesses: turn your customer reviews into increased customers – 14/11/2022
- Tourism businesses: use analytics to evaluate and get customers – 16/11/2022
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for tourism businesses: part 1 – 23/11/2022
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for tourism businesses: part 2 – 28/11/2022
- Blogging for tourism businesses – 8/12/2022
More details (including registration info) will follow soon from VisitScotland, and in the meantime you can learn more about digital skills with VisitScotland’s useful business toolkit.
HIT Scotland Scholarships
Applications for the 2023 HIT Scotland Scholarships are now open. Opportunities are open to anyone working in or studying towards a career in the Scottish hospitality industry. The learning experience is designed to give you new skills or knowledge, to experience best practice, or refresh your way of thinking. Split into business, operational and inspirational categories, there are a variety of opportunities for those working in, or studying towards a career in, Scottish hospitality, at all levels, and all job roles.
The HIT Scotland Scholarships programme includes some opportunities being online, and some in-person. Applications close on Monday 21st November at 9am.
Scottish Business Week
This week-long virtual event runs between 3 and 7 October 2022 and is open to all existing businesses in Scotland, and anyone thinking about starting a business. The programme includes inspirational online speakers, webinars, masterclasses and networking opportunities that offer support and guidance to help your business increase efficiency and build resilience. Check out the the full Scottish Business Week programme for more information.
Update your Business Listings
Are your business details are up to date? Ensure visitors are aware of your opening hours, services, how to find you and other useful information.
VisitScotland’s extranet system allows you to manage your VisitScotland web listing content and images, giving you the flexibility to make updates to your listing whenever you want. Follow their handy user guide.
And don’t forget to keep your Google Business Profile (formally Google My Business) up to date. Google currently holds more than 92% of the search engine market share, so it is the most likely place visitors will turn to for information. There are 3 places that the Google Business Profile will appear; in the maps pack, the knowledge panel, and on Google maps. Find further information on how to update your Google Business Profile here.