Fiona

13th September 2022

Fiona has been the owner of self catering accommodation in Argyll and Bute for 20 years.

It is heartbreaking. The stress of this is unbearable.

We have been operating a professional self-catering business for twenty years. We have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the area, providing them with memory making holidays in a wonderful part of Scotland. We are compliant with all existing H&S legislation, we pay the appropriate tax for a Furnished Holiday Let and are registered on Non-Domestic Rates. We actively contribute to the local economy by employing a cleaning company, which was established simply to service our business.

Our guests spend considerably in the local economy: in restaurants and bars, at visitor attractions, to activity providers. I am proud of what we do and our contribution to Scotland's rich tourism offering.

The incoming legislation will cripple our business. The costs associated with additional legal compliance, additional conditions and totally unnecessary plans will be too much of a financial burden to our business. The uncertainty of neighbour objections resulting in a licence being refused is impossible to live with.

Our commercial mortgage provider may withdraw financial support on the basis that a licence may be refused or revoked every three years. This is my livelihood. And yet it is under real and serious threat, because of ill thought through legislation.

It is heartbreaking. The stress of this is unbearable.