Agencies highlight measures to assist businesses hit by foot-and-mouth
(Dated: April 18, 2001)

Key agencies in Orkney are working together to co-ordinate the delivery of a range of Government measures, aimed at helping local businesses hit by the current foot-and-mouth crisis.

Although there are no cases of the disease in Orkney, many local villages, particularly in the tourism sector, are suffering from the knock-on effects of the outbreak further south.

Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Enterprise and Orkney Tourist Board want to make sure that local businesses are aware of the help available to them during this period.

The Council will offer rates relief for a three-mouth period to businesses suffering genuine hardship as a result of the crisis. A spokesman said today that the relief is not intended to act as a compensation scheme for lost income, however, and evidence of hardship will have to be provided.

Application for rates relief are available from the finance and housing department (non-domestic rates section) at the Council offices in Kirkwall, or by telephoning 973535 ext 2133.

Orkney Enterprise is able to provide assistance of up to £2,000 to business people who need to pay for professional advice when preparing information to take to their bank or any other relevant body.

The services of a business counsellor, who can provide advice on business survival through this difficult period, can also be accessed through OE. Farming businesses are being advised to contact the Scottish Agricultural College for similar advice.

Anyone wishing further information on the assistance offered by OE should telephone 874638 or call into OE's offices at 14 Queen Street, Kirkwall.

Meanwhile, Orkney Tourist Board is encouraging local tourism businesses to take part in a major marketing campaign running over the next few months.

In addition, OTB is offering a 50 per cent refund on its fees to local members. Anyone paying their OTB membership fee before May 31 will receive half their payment back in June.

The Scottish Tourist Boat - visitscotland - is offering similar assistance to members of its Quality Assurance Scheme. Participating businesses will receive a 50 per cent discount on fees for the scheme and will not be invoiced until later in the year.

Full details of the marketing campaign, and the discounted fee schemes, are available from Orkney Tourist Board's offices in Broad Street, Kirkwall or by telephoning 872001.