Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD HIGHLIGHTS DIAGEO SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR PUBS AND RESTAURANTS

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has highlighted a £2.4million package which pubs, restaurants and bars can bid into to help transform their sports areas into outdoor spaces for hosting customers.  

The initiative from Diageo as part of their ‘Raising the Bar’ scheme offers sporting-focused venues which have recovered from the pandemic behind the rest of the market the opportunity to maximise their outdoor spaces through features such as standalone bars, external lighting and tents or awnings. 

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said: 

“The hospitality trade is a really important part of Moray’s economy and we have many great pubs and restaurants locally. The last two years have been incredibly challenging for the sector and some businesses are still finding it difficult as we come out of restrictions.

“While this scheme won’t be appropriate for all venues, there might be some businesses in Moray that are looking to change their offer to customers and the ‘Raising the Bar’ scheme could potentially help them with that.

“I’d encourage local businesses to look at whether this scheme might benefit them and would urge those interested to get their applications in as soon as possible.”

Eligible bars and pubs are able to apply for support, by completing a questionnaire on www.diageo-one.com by 30 April 2022, where they can detail how the pandemic has affected their ability to showcase live sports in their venue.  Successful outlets will be selected by a non-commercial board from Diageo and will hear back in May, with installations taking place across May and June.