The Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary has confirmed that self catering businesses will receive non-domestic rates relief, a move welcomed by trade body, the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC).
The Government has also agreed that there should be regulatory changes to allow self catering businesses to be correctly classified within the non-domestic rates system.
A transitional relief, capping year on year increases in gross non-domestic rates at 15 percent until 2029 will be in place. The ASSC says the changes and reliefs are necessary although they do not address the underlying problem which it says is that the valuation methodology is structurally flawed. Its chief executive says that without full reform, the risk of business closures remains very real once these protections expire.
Feis Rois has announced details of its return to Ullapool for the annual three day adult festival which will take place this year from Friday 1st to Monday 4th May with first class tuition and a fringe programme including sessions, lunchtime recitals, evening concerts and an informal Gaelic conversation circle.
The festival caters for all abilities from beginners right up to accomplished musicians. Particip[ants do not need to be able to read music or to have any previous knowledge of traditional music. Instruments can be provided for anyone signing up for beginner classes.
The adult festival follows the Feis Rois Youth Festival which will take place over Easter weekend from 6th to 9th April at venues in Ullapool, Dingwall and Tain. Tutors will be available at all three sites with a community ceilidh at each location which will be open to participants and their families as well as the wider community.
Full details of both festivals with how to book and costs are available on the Feis Rois website.
In the weekend football, Ross County will be hoping to atone for its poor performance last week when it travels to play Ayr United in the SPFL Championship. Ayr is currently fourth in the league, ten points ahead of County which remains in bottom place.
In League One Inverness Caley Thistle, leading the table by five points, has a home match against second placed, Stenhousemuir.
Both matches kick off at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
