Scottish Government support – The NEN

Glasgow fire support

Up to £10 million to help city centre businesses

A financial package worth up to £10 million to help the council, businesses and agencies rebuild and renew the part of the city affected by the Union Corner fire has been announced by First Minister John Swinney.

The Scottish Government grant scheme will support recovery efforts near Glasgow Central station where around 71 businesses were damaged or destroyed by the fire and remain within a safety cordon which is closed to the public.

Glasgow City Council will administer the scheme based on engagement with local businesses to understand how they have been affected.

Additionally, up to £1 million will be made available to help the council with demolition costs and the Scottish Government’s contribution to discretionary non-domestic rates Hardship Relief for those impacted will increase from 75% to 95%.

The First Minister said: “There has been significant disruption for people and businesses as a result of the devastating fire at Union Corner, including through the closure of Glasgow Central station.

“As I made clear in the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Scottish Government is absolutely committed to working closely with Glasgow City Council to ensure financial support was available.

“Some owners have lost their properties, in some cases their livelihoods, and others have been affected by access issues because of safety restrictions around the site.

“I am grateful to Glasgow City Council for talking to business owners about their circumstances, and that important work has established a clearer understanding of the extent of the support that is required.

“Following that engagement, I am pleased to confirm the Scottish Government will deliver a package of financial support, including up to £10 million to help businesses in this important part of Glasgow. The Scottish Government remains committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery in what is the heart of the city centre.”  

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken has welcomed the financial package announced by First Minister John Swinney to support recovery from the recent Union Street fire.

The First Minister yesterday confirmed cash to cover the cost of ongoing demolition works and a £10 million recovery fund, including support for local businesses.

Cllr Aitken said: “The support Glasgow has had from the Scottish Government since Sunday’s terrible fire has been hugely important – and that is going to continue to be the case as we move on from an emergency response into recovery.

“The first call I took on Monday morning was from the First Minister. He was absolutely clear then that this was an incident with a national impact and that Glasgow wouldn’t stand alone in building back from it.

“So, while I was always sure help would be forthcoming, it is really pleasing to see that starting to take shape at pace, with his announcement this afternoon.

“This is meaningful support, not just for the council and those suffering hardship – but an investment in the future of the city centre.”

Work is taking place to finalise arrangements for the grant scheme.

Promoting local produce

£100,000 funding for Regional Food Fund

Encouraging small businesses to thrive and foster collaboration amongst producers and food groups to promote local produce.

The Scottish Government is providing £100,000 funding for the sixth round of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to Scottish food business for projects aimed at elevating Scotland’s food and drink industry, enhancing food tourism and showcasing the best local produce the country has to offer.

Since 2021, the Scottish Government has provided over £500,000 to the fund, which has supported 104 collaborative projects, varying from creative artwork to increase customer numbers, new equipment and regional marketing campaigns.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is worth £15 billion to the Scottish economy; it is one of the country’s largest employers and is already well-recognised and established across the world.

“However, we realise how vital engaging with regional markets is in achieving our industry strategy and growth ambitions for the next ten years. That’s why, through remarkable initiatives like the Regional Food Fund, we are providing small projects the opportunity to promote and showcase their regional goods.

“This funding enables businesses to raise awareness of locally available produce to communities and showcase some of Scotland’s most exciting food and drink ventures.”

Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, Fiona Richmond said: “As the Regional Food Fund enters its sixth round, we look forward to reviewing a diverse range of applications.

“Over the years, the fund has supported everything from food and drink festivals and campaigns to collaborative initiatives showcasing the journey from field to fork. This highlights the strength of the desire for local produce and the growing food tourism scene in Scotland.

“The fund encourages regional collaboration and celebrates unique food and drink stories that continue to nurture and elevate Scotland’s thriving food culture, making it a renowned destination for food experiences.”

Applications for the sixth round of the fund are now open on the Scotland Food & Drink website. The closing date for applications is 17:00 on 30 April 2025.

All application guidance and application forms are available on the Scotland Food & Drink website, along with previous successful applicants and success stories.

Fringe benefits: £300,000 Scottish Government support for ‘one of Scotland’s signature events’

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced new funding to support the world’s largest performing arts festival.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society will receive £300,000 from the Scottish Government in 2025-26 to help grow the significant benefits the Fringe delivers for Scotland’s economy, society and culture sector.

The funding will enable work in two areas agreed between the Scottish Government and the Fringe Society, firstly to develop the capabilities of the Society’s data and digital infrastructure to make it more accessible for artists, audiences and venues.

Secondly, it will fund work to explore how the Scottish Government and the Fringe Society can help Scottish artists and the sector as a whole capitalise on international opportunities, by targeting agreed priority countries and regions.

Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The Fringe is one of Scotland’s signature events. From humble beginnings in 1947, it has grown to become the world’s largest performing arts festival, making it a significant economic contributor to Edinburgh, and Scotland as a whole.

“This agreement recognises firstly, that the Fringe Society does not neatly fit into the funding streams available to other culture organisations. Secondly, that there is ample opportunity for the Fringe Society to work more closely with all the other organisations who play an important role in making the Fringe the annual success that it is.

“The Scottish Government is committed to working with the Fringe Society and all partners who deliver, it to help safeguard the future of the Edinburgh Fringe as a world leading cultural asset, built on the principle of free access for all.”

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “We welcome this new funding and thank the Scottish Government for recognising the unique position that the Fringe Society has. This will undoubtedly contribute greatly to Scotland’s economy, society and culture sector and we hope that this is a first step towards long-term funding for the Fringe Society.

“It is vital that the Fringe Society can continue to provide much needed core services to the thousands of artists who come to the festival every year and who recognise it as a global marketplace and expo. A sustainable Fringe Society can use its convening role to unlock support for the wider Fringe from the imminent visitor Levy.

“We look forward to working with Kate Forbes and the Scottish Government on developing a long-term sustainable funding model, and welcome this investment into both digital infrastructure and international opportunities.”

The big screen lights up again at Edinburgh’s independent cinemas

The Dominion Cinema, Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh-based touring cinema operator INDY Cinema Group and cinemas all over the country, Scotland’s local independent cinemas and operators are re-opening their doors and welcoming cinema goers from today, Monday 17 May 2021, and over the coming weeks and months.

The re-opening is being supported with an additional £1.98million Scottish Government support for 29* independent cinemas and one touring operator through Screen Scotland’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Meanwhile, every precaution is being taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience including spaced seating, enhanced cleaning, fresh air ventilated screens, more opportunities to pre-book online and distanced queuing and foyer spacing.

There is a fantastic schedule of releases hitting the big screen over the coming weeks and months with audiences able to catch Oscar Winning films The Sound of Metal and Nomadland in all their glory on the big screen when they are released today, Monday 17 May, the Black Widow blockbuster and BAFTA-nominated Limbo (from Scottish-based filmmakers Director Ben Sharrock and producer Irune Gurtubai) landing in July and Edinburgh will also be coming to the big screen when it plays a starring role in Fast and Furious 9, also due for release in the summer.

Ken Hay CEO of CMI (Edinburgh Filmhouse) said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse when we reopen our doors on the 31^st of May.

“Seven months of darkness are finally coming to an end and the magic of the communal cinema experience is coming back.”

Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland said: “The COVID crisis has presented independent cinemas with one of the toughest challenges ever faced.

“As restrictions ease and hope grows, Screen Scotland would like to pay particular tribute to the passionate, dedicated staff who are working hard to ensure the safe return of the big-screen experience.

“Cinemas are magical, transportive places where we come together to experience stories that move us, thrill us and excite us. Cinema goers are eager to enjoy the big screen and support in the recovery of the cinemas they love, and Screen Scotland will continue to work tirelessly to support cinemas return and further growth.”

The latest survey results – commissioned by the Film Distributors Association – confirm that the UK public is more eager than ever to return to cinemas, with 59% citing the cinema as their most missed out-of-home entertainment activity, with 40% of audiences planning to return within the first few weeks after reopening and a further 36% within the first couple of months.

The research also confirmed that lockdown over the last year has reignited audiences’ passion for seeing films on the big screen, with those who have digitally rented or purchased films highlighted as the most likely to return to the cinema as soon as they reopen.

The encouraging findings also confirm two thirds of respondents favouring the spectacular big screen experience, immersive sound, special effects, that only cinema can offer.

With the wide-reaching safety measures in place to protect the health and safety of staff and audiences. 93% of cinemagoers who returned last year enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive experience, and 99% were satisfied with the health and safety measures at their local cinema.

Following 12 months of lockdowns and restrictions, the survey further endorsed how well-loved cinemagoing is. Past research has consistently proved that cinemas provide vital support for the health and well-being of our communities. Getting out of the house and watching a film on the big screen allows us to escape and immerse ourselves in another world, if only for a few hours.

Phil Clapp, Chief Executive at UK Cinema Association said: “We are delighted that cinemas in Scotland and across much of the UK will from today be once again able to welcome audiences back. At this time more than ever, we know how much local communities value their local cinemas.

“Our own audience research, but also the many messages of support and encouragement received by our members, confirm that many people have missed the big screen more than anything during lockdown and every cinema venue in Scotland has been working hard in recent weeks to ensure that when allowed to re-open they will be able to offer the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.”

Follow the campaign on social media via #BackToTheCinema or #LoveCinema and visit:

https://www.screen.scot/news/2021/05/back-to-the-cinema