Latest news with #MarySchmoller
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Island businesses criticise ferry cancellation fund
Some island community leaders have criticised a new £4.4m Scottish government fund set up to support businesses affected by ferry Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) will be available to eight of the 23 islands served by publicly-owned ferry operator Schmoller, of community company Stòras Uibhist on South Uist, said there was a lack of information on the funding, and she raised doubts it would go far businessman Joe Reade said his island was not on the approved list, but local businesses were suffering due to a reduced service. Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the Scottish government was determined to do everything it could to support island communities. IBRF will be available to eligible business, including firms that rely on tourism or trade in perishable goods, operating on South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Scottish government said the islands were chosen because they had more than 15% of ferry cancellations over the last three summer Ms Schmoller told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We've had no direct information."The announcement was made yesterday, I gather, but we haven't actually seen any details beyond the fact it will be operated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise."She said a study Stòras Uibhist did last year suggested more than £1m was lost to South Uist's economy due to disrupted sailings over six weeks between Easter and Schmoller said she was not sure £4.4m would be enough to cover every eligible added: "There are other businesses that have lost out as well." Mr Reade said it was "bizarre" Mull was not on the list of said the island's ferry capacity had been reduced by 22% since March because the ferry, MV Isle of Mull, was out of Reade told Good Morning Scotland: "Every tourist related business on Mull is reporting a really bad season."Restaurants are not as full as they should be, tourist trips are not taking as many passengers, accommodation providers have got vacancies in the middle of the season, which is unprecedented."He added: "We can see to the end of June we've lost 7,000 passenger visits to the island."Mr Reade said Mull could be missing out because reduced service was not being used as a measure for IBRF said: "I am absolutely astonished and bemused that the government should use such a blunt way about deciding who gets assistance and who doesn't. "Everybody needs it." How will IBRF work? Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will manage IBRF on behalf of the Scottish government. Applications will be accepted from Wednesday until midday on 1 September with decisions and payments expected by 31 businesses include those that rely on tourism, and firms that manufacture or transport perishable goods, such as Scottish government said funding awards would be based on demand and the size of organisations that apply for said awards were expected to range from between £3,000 and £35, carried out analysis of information and statistics provided by Transport Scotland and CalMac relating to ferry Scottish government said the eight islands were chosen because each had more than 15% ferry disruption over the last three summer seasons. It said the average cancellations of ferry services across CalMac's network during that time had been about 7%. 'Challenging times' Islands Secretary Ms Gougeon said the Scottish government knew island communities faced "distinct" said: "People and businesses require ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods."We worked with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to refine the eligibility criteria and identify how this money can make a real difference to the businesses who need it most."Ms Gougeon said reliable and regular ferry services were key to said: "We know that the current situation of delays and ongoing maintenance to some vessels has created real difficulties for some."We are determined to do everything we can to support islands, their local businesses and employers through these challenging times."
The Herald Scotland
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New £4.4m ferry disruption fund opens for eight islands
🧭 What is the Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF)? A £4.4 million Scottish Government fund aimed at supporting island businesses hardest hit by west-coast ferry disruption. Run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Applications open July 2 and close midday September 1. Decisions and payments are expected by October 31. Grants range from £3,000 to £35,000 depending on business size and demand. ✅ Who's eligible? Businesses on these eight islands only: South Uist, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay, Colonsay, and Arran. Must be in tourism-related sectors or the manufacture or transport of perishable goods (e.g. seafood). Islands were selected for having over 15% ferry service cancellations across three seasons — far above the 7% CalMac network average. 🚩 Why it's controversial Exclusion of other hard-hit islands The Mull & Iona Ferry Committee says Mull (and Iona), along with Coll, Tiree, Islay and others, have seen serious disruption — but are not included. Mull lost 22% capacity since March due to MV Isle of Mull being sidelined — though this isn't counted under the scheme's eligibility criteria. Questionable criteria Critics call the 'over 15% cancellations' rule arbitrary and exclusionary, saying it ignores capacity loss and ongoing maintenance issues. There's concern the fund doesn't align with the Islands (Scotland) Act, which aims to support all affected communities. Financial shortfall South Uist reports losses of £1 million over Easter–June 2024. Mull has lost around 7,000 passengers and 10% car traffic by June 2025 — figures campaigners argue outstrip the current £4.4m total. 🧑🎤 Voices from the islands 'Why exclude islands that are really suffering? It's not just bizarre and unfair on the face of it, it's actually, I think, contrary to the islands act, I don't think it's correct in law.'— Joe Reade, Chair of the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee. At least it's a gesture. It will benefit some people. It'll let them survive, because the hit has been really hard on people." —Mary Schmoller, member of the board of the South Uist community landowner, Stòras Uibhist 🛠️ What happens next? Applications open July 2, 2025, closing September 1, administered by HIE. Decisions and payouts expected by October 31. Campaigners are calling for: Wider eligibility that includes islands like Mull, Coll, Tiree, Islay. Revised criteria that account for capacity loss, not just cancellations. More detail on eligibility and payment formulas is expected soon.
