Government Disappointed At GCA Statement

Written by YGTV Team on 01 October 2020.

The Government has said it is “disappointed” with the statement by the Caterers  Association on BEAT measures announced in Parliament on 25th September 2020. 

A statement from the Government follows below:

The Caterers Association are the beneficiaries of the following direct financial support; 

1. A 50% discount on their rates bills for the 4th Quarter of 2020 
2. A 50% reduction in rent where Government are the landlords and a 25% reduction in rent  from private landlords 
3. A 100% reduction in tables and chairs licences for external areas for Government tenants  and a 50% reduction for Private tenants – Until the 1st April 2021 
4. All rentals and licence fee increases are suspended until the 1st April 2021 5. A payment to each business of in effect 20% of their averaged payroll (for April/May) for  each of the months of October and November. 

In addition the Government has expressed support to a proposal from the Caterers Association  similar to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in the United Kingdom and we are awaiting detailed  proposals. 

Further, the Government has introduced the partly guaranteed loan scheme from Gibraltar  participating Banks to support businesses during the pandemic. This scheme is available to all  restaurateurs. 

The Government has repeatedly informed the GCA at face-to-face meetings that it cannot expect  the tax payer to provide any more financial support than is currently being provided. They are  seeking greater cash payments from Government and greater discounts from Private Landlords at  a time when the public is able to witness that despite the current restrictions both take away  businesses and restaurants continue to attract good business to their establishments. The Think  Local Buy Local has particularly been evident in this sector. 

This sense of entitlement to more financial support from the tax payer in the current crisis when  they are already in receipt of significant support is unfortunate, especially when so many businesses  who are in receipt of little if any support continue to do their bit in supporting our economy.