Visitor accommodation support to become more flexible

Monday 28 September 2020

Visitor accommodation firms will be supported through the ongoing pandemic in several different ways from October onwards, depending on what most suits their needs.

The Policy & Resources Committee will ask businesses whether they want to continue receiving payroll co-funding, or be supported by a new grant scheme which will begin next month.

Businesses who have applied for support will be able to choose once final details are released, so the committee can provide more flexible support during the winter months.

The decision comes as a result of analysis of the claims already submitted and feedback from the previously announced independent review of the business support measures. 

Local firm, Offshore Group, was appointed to carry out the review and has provided an initial update to P&R; however, it will take more time to conduct a complete review, which will be made publicly available once it is finalised.

Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier has previously said the tourism industry would experience a 'second winter' as a result of covid.

P&R is aware there is not much time left to finalise its plans, which is why it has announced its decision to make both available now, and will provide finalised details once they are available.

The date on which payments are paid out may be impacted by this, but the committee is confident they will be paid out before the end of October. Payroll support, however, will still be paid in arrears as it has been previously.

Currently there are 52 businesses who will be eligible to receive this support from October, all of which will be contacted shortly.

P&R Vice President Lyndon Trott, who has led the covid financial support measures, spoke of the importance of the visitor accommodation sector:

“Our hotels and accommodation providers aren’t just another sector of the economy, they are part of what makes Guernsey such a special place, both to visit and to live,” he said. “I told the industry we would listen and work with them to deliver a solution that meets their needs.

“I hope the decision to give a choice on how they receive support shows that we have done that.”

More than £40 million has been paid out by the States of Guernsey to support businesses since the beginning of the pandemic. Policy and Resources recently denied a Public Information request regarding the businesses which have received payroll co-funding, and the amount they had received.