Kirkcaldy Links Market. © Lynne Whatmore

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES £1.5M FUNDING FOR SCOTTISH SHOWPEOPLE

Following negotiations between the Scottish Section of the Showmen’s Guild and the Scottish Parliament, £1.5 million of funding for showpeople was announced by Kate Forbes MSP.

Congratulations are due to Scottish Section Chairman Alex James Colquhoun for tirelessly steering this measure through, leading the Section Committee and support from the President and the team.

Watch the video from 5 minutes in for the specific announcement where Kate Forbes MSP reads (with Showpeople at the top of the list): see link below.

” Businesses need and want more support… (beyond nationally agreed grants) … we have listened to business… Targeting support on a sector by sector basis ensures that we tailor support, so it is as effective as possible:

“The finer details of each of these schemes will be provided soon, including how to apply in January, but today I want to highlight a few of the businesses that we will support. I’m pleased to say that we will give £1.5 million to Scottish Show People, ineligible for other support and I want to pay tribute to Richard Lyle (MSP) in particular for his advocacy and representation of that…”

Once again congratulations to all those who helped to make this happen and those who supported the bid for funding.

This funding for showpeople will be a welcome relief for many Showmen who have not been able to operate at all in Scotland this year.

The details on eligibility and how to apply will follow soon.

The Showmen’s Guild is actively working to replicate this success across the rest of Britain, chiefly among which is the Westminster government, where the discussions continue.

Link to the announcement:

https://www.facebook.com/scottishparliament/videos/399086334662222

Scottish Minister for Trade, Investment And Innovation hails the award of Scottish Showmen’s funding

The Scottish Section Chairman Alex James Colquhoun received a letter from Ivan McKee MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Provan and Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, acknowledging the importance of the Showmen in Scotland being recognised by the Scottish Parliament; with a package of finance of £1.5 million.

This is important recognition for them and the Scottish Section with its Chairman and for the wider support from the Guild in this achievement and will make a significant difference for the many Showmen who have lost out by having their fairs not allowed to operate this year.

The Showmen’s Guild is pursuing similar funding opportunities for Showmen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The text of Ivan McKee MSP’s letter reads:

“Dear Alex,

 Covid 19 – support for business.

I was delighted to see that, in announcing a further package of support for business, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance has allocated £1.5m for travelling Showpeople.

This is a testament to your hard work and patience in making the case to the Government and I hope it will be welcome news. If I can be of assistance to the community as the scheme unfolds, or in any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me

With my best wishes for the festive season and hopefully a happier New Year.

Kind regards,

Ivan McKee.”

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