CTEEA/S5/20/C19/T027

CULTURE, TOURISM, EUROPE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

CALL FOR VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ’S CULTURE AND TOURISM SECTORS

SUBMISSION FROM THE SHOWMEN’S GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN, SCOTTISH SECTION

I write to you as the Chairman of the Scottish Section of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain. As you will know, this is the trade association for the Fairground and Showpeoples Community, with 340 operating Members across Scotland (of the 2,000 members across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland overall). Each of these members, for the most part, is a small businessman and all have families, numbering 5,000 across Scotland and over 23,000 across the UK overall.

They own and operate fairground attractions and shows that make up the many hundreds of Fairgrounds across the country;

• Including the historic Charter Fairs, Carnivals, Melas, Festivals and operating in their own right at festive occasions, such as • Kirkcaldy Links Market Europe's longest street fair; • Many Highland Games all across Scotland; • The many Galas and Family fun days; • Christmas events in many towns and cities across Scotland; . Most of these, certainly all the major season-starting fairs, for many, at Easter and well beyond into the summer, have been cancelled at a stroke; this also includes the SECC Christmas Carnival that many Scottish Showmen attend.

The Showmen contribute greatly towards the £74 Billion generated by the UK Events Industry to the economy through their taxation; the boost to local and regional economies, including much-needed footfall to shopping centres and often the only entertainment for those in less well-of communities.

Additionally, there is a whole economy that supports the Fairground and Show industry, which feeds into the income generated; including

• manufacturers; marketing; staff employment of up to 100,000 nationally and 10,000 here in (this part of the country); • purchase of stock & fuel • and significant rental income to local authorities for parks, supporting finances for local services in each community.

Indeed, the Showmen in the county are proud to have the National Fairground & Circus Archive hosted at Sheffield University, as a world-leading heritage resource.

Now following the understandable government lockdown, that we fully supported;

1 REF NO. CTEEA/S5/20/C19/ the Showman still cannot effectively operate even though government has given the go ahead it will takes weeks and in some cases months to get permission for the use of land, for licence applications to be dealt with (in some areas this can take three months) and some local authorities still refuse to give permission for fun fairs to take place on their land.

What this means is that we are have had to cancel many events across the county and beyond, including the historic charter fairs; all the Easter Fairs in most towns and cities and many more at the rate of up to 20 per week leaving this year as almost a total loss with many not expecting to operate until March 2021.

The Showmen who have had a lean winter, with few operating opportunities. plan seasonally to boost their income at Easter, to pay ongoing maintenance and operating bills and to quite frankly, feed our families.

In Scotland, the Tourism Grant ended in May. The issues that Showmen and the Showmen’s Guild of GB Scottish Section have had in guiding its members are that:

• Showmen weren’t mentioned in the communication from Holyrood related to the Grant. • There was little publicity of it overall. • Many members only discovered the grant after the closing date. • This affects 340 operating members who have lost fairs at the rate of 20 fairs a week across Scotland (see detailed list of fairs lost, member by member as logged weekly by the Showmen’s Guild…

Local administration issues of grants Bed & Breakfast grants since May have made the 300+ applications that the Showmen latterly were notified to make, delayed and lost at a regional and local level, making the Showmen’s Guild members applications void through mal administration.

Additionally, within the application for the Grant, it was a stipulation that applicants hold a Business Bank Account, which, due to the pattern of work of the Showmen, being seasonal, many do not have as they don't wish to pay out on the down months.

The communications that we have more recently received from Government only make generalist comments and do not take account of the real issues that are preventing fairs from operating and the need for finance for the Showmen of Scotland, who have ‘fallen through the cracks’

Here is an example of a lost application; typical of many:

Communication from Showmen’s Guild Scottish Member:

“Good morning

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I have forwarded the email I received from business support about the creative tourism grant. I applied for this on 2 separate occasions and also emailed them. My wife also applied on 2 separate occasions as well and also emailed them and got nowhere.

Any problems get in touch.

Regards

XXXXX (Scottish Showman’s Guild Member / Scottish Showman).”

The Response from Holyrood:

“Hello

Many thanks for getting back in touch on the 14th of July with those additional details on your grant submission.

We're sorry for the delay in our response. As previously advised we are unfortunately unable to locate a successfully submitted application form from your business whilst the funds were still open.

Once the Pre-Qualification was submitted an email would be sent to the email address input to allow you to go online to complete your application and then submit. We understand from the information provided this was not received, however, given the exceptionally high volume of applications, it has not been possible for us to determine individual circumstances that led to this.

In some isolated cases customers experienced issues such as local connectivity and security challenges from their own browsers that impacted this process, and we did our best to provide additional information and support online and via social media to resolve these issues whilst the funds were still available.

Upon successfully submitting an application, all recipients will have been issued a SE**** reference number. If you can still provide this reference number by return, I will of course raise this matter again with the relevant department.

If you are unable to supply this reference number we sadly cannot investigate any further as unfortunately the funds are now closed and we cannot accept any further application forms at this point.

We understand the disappointment this will cause though would encourage you to continue to visit FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot where you can subscribe for e-mail updates, so that you can stay informed of other support available and funding opportunities that may arise in the future.

In addition, you may wish to speak to your local Business Gateway where a Business Adviser will be able to look and see if there are any alternative funding options, outwith the Covid-19 funding currently available, as well as assist you with day to day business advice and support. Your local office can be contacted on 01835

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818315.

Your local Citizens Advice is also on hand to provide free impartial advice on money, rents and benefits. Your local office contact information can be viewed at https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/central-borders-citizens-advice-bureau.”

The Scottish Showmen have no income now; the government’s actions to combat Covid-19 have, at a stroke, taken away our business and there is no safety net financially for us that we can effectively access:

• Showmen did not qualify for the assistance announced in the recent budget for retail, leisure and hospitality firms relating to business rates in the coming year and they are not eligible for the tax holiday that companies with a rateable value of less than £51,000 were set to enjoy.

• This is because the way that the Showmen operate, while very sophisticated and highly regulated by both the Showmen’s Guild and governmental authorities such as HSE; falls outside the scope of static leisure providers; even though we work hard to earn the same leisure pound as they do.

Especially in Scotland, Showmen have not had access to funds that their colleagues in other parts of the UK have at least been able to apply for (some being successful, others not yet). These include:

• the announced Business Rates Relief or waiver does not apply to Showmen’s Yards.

• the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund RHLGF); as, having a mobile travelling business without fixed assets (like a pub or a shop or a nightclub) made it harder to get Government money

• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CIBLS) has been difficult to access with delays in processing claims; even though the Chancellor loosened the terms of the scheme.

• declared profits - but many of the Showmen have had to invest heavily in new equipment to be competitive; rather than making much, if any, profit and are paying huge interest to 2nd Tier financiers just to stand still and now cannot either pay or defer the interest payments.

• The Bounce Back Loans, but with all government schemes, there are administrative difficulties in successfully applying for them, although members find themselves with this as the only financial help available to them but obviously this is adding further to their mounting debt's.

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The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain – background: on the next page The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain – background:

The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain is the leading Trade Association for the Travelling Fairground Industry.

It operates from its Central Office in Staines upon Thames with 10 regional Section offices across the UK.

Its members operate at funfairs throughout the year from historical Charter Fairs; to Holiday Fairs and at most public outdoor events such as Festivals; Melas; Winter Wonderlands and Carnivals.

• The Showmen’s Guild has 2144 operating Members, who are typically the heads of a family • So, there are 24,000 Showmen family members overall. • This equates to approximately 95% of the Showmen out there across Britain • These Showmen operate 4067 fairground attractions overall that include 1277 adult rides; 2138 children’s rides and experiences; 652 inflatable slides and other structures; • The Showmen give approximately 305 million passenger rides annually • at the rate of 100 fairs a week at their height, as well as their supporting attractions at: Festivals and Melas; local celebrations such as carnivals; National celebrations; such as Fireworks night; Winter Wonderlands; corporate parties and many sporting events • The operating season is now 12 months of the year

• Safety is the number one priority for the Showmen’s Guild, and it is central to the operation of our Members within the industry.

• Educational achievement is significantly higher for Showmen children than for other travelling communities; many Showmen’s offspring have attended university

• The Showmen’s Guild continues to represent the interests of the Showmen’s industry; as well as their Intangible Cultural Heritage;

• Having its comprehensive regulation structure governing all aspects of operation; with agreed Rules and a system of dispute resolution;

• Working with Parliamentarians with the Westminster Parliament All Party Group and the with the Cross-Party Group and representations initiated with the Welsh Assembly ; covering all areas of legislation affecting Showmen, from Education; residential Planning; Transport; respecting rights to operate fairs; defence against discrimination.

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• Supporting the National Fairground & Circus Archive at Sheffield University: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nfca

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The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, Scottish Section

List of Scottish Fairs lost 2020

Including:

• whole fairs with Lessee (organiser) status; all Rides & Games & Shows trading-positions at multiple fairs; • and individual Showmen’s Ride etc trading-positions at multiple fairs across the season; across Scotland; • Many Scottish Showmen also have lost many trading positions & whole fairs across England; Wales; Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland and further afield internationally, across the year; • Many UK-wide Showmen have also lost many trading positions at Fairs across Scotland (as well as UK-Wide and some in Republic of Ireland & further afield internationally, across the year. • Every Scottish city, town village and hamlet has lost all its fairs and all kinds of public event supported by fair have lost their fair (as well as the event itself) altogether • Every community of every size across Scotland has been affected by this loss of amenity with Historic celebrations; key community events and support for Highland Games and all Galas not taking place • For smaller towns and villages, the Fair is one of the few, often the only visiting entertainment • Families coming out of Lockdown have been denied the Active Pursuit that the Fairs offer in the Fresh Air. • Local Councils; games Committees and Community organisations & Charities have been denied vital funding in rental income and footfall of extra attendance to their events with the loss of the fairs (and their events altogether) in 2020 • There is continuing uncertainty over operation of events and even stand-alone fairs with planning and Licensing and Local Government indecision & Lack of communication with the Showmen’s Guild and its Scottish Members.

Understanding the list and thus the scale of loss of business for Scottish Showmen across the 2020 season:

• The following details are drawn from weekly tables of whole fairs and individual fair positions, that Scottish Showmen have registered with the

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Showmen’s Guild, that they usually trade at; but at which they cannot this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions. • The individual Showmen / partnerships of Showmen have been Redacted, o to cite “Showman” / “Showmen” for simplicity and to comply with GDPR legislation. o An un-redacted listing is held by the Showmen’s Guild of GB Scottish Section in . • The Towns and events are listed as they are locally described and communally described. • The rides and attractions’ positions are described by name; e.g. Waltzer; Dodgems; “50-ft. Machine”. • Children’s rides often described as “Juvenile(s)”; “Formula” is a vehicle-track- ride brand; • “Kiosks” are food stalls etc. • Trading positions at fairs are often quoted as “Centre”; “Side” or “Floating” (indeterminate position) with footage size of position often quoted , e.g. “50Ft” ; “14 Ft” – Usually (but not always) the larger the position, the larger the loss; depending on the importance of it to individual showmen in their livelihood (some might just own a kiosk, the loss of trading of which, is as devastating for them loss of a wider attractions range to others). • “Reason: CV” denotes: Coronavirus COVID-19 restrictions as the reason for non-appearance / not holding or trading at funfair events described. • Most Showmen will own & travel a variety of the above equipment; operating either all of it or just some of it at; any given fair, by prior agreement / established touring-trading network – the Showmen themselves, with their variety-of-attractions, regrouping in varied pre-planned-layouts at each fair; according the Fair / event’s size, location and business-demands (audience demographic) • The Visit occasion of many fairs can vary from year to year thus described as “Easter” “Spring”(visit) “Fireworks Night” or by name of event e.g. “XXXX town Gala”. ------

Fairs cancellation member by member update 31/3/20:

Scottish Showman: Lessee & Tenants’ positions at • Braehead Easter Fair • Braehead , May Fair • Braehead July Fair, • West Linton Gala • Alloa Spring Fair (Two 50ft Machine positions) Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showman: Lessee & Tenants at: • Kilbirnie, • Shettleston (Tesco),

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• Danderhall, • Newton Grange, • Halfway Cambuslang, • Football Festival, • Irvine, • Eaglesham (Biannual- every two years, falling in 2020) • Lenzie Football Festival,

• Vale of Leven Academy Fun Day, • Cumbernauld Gala, • Stirling Show, • Newton Grange Gala, • East Kilbride Arts Festival, • Kirkcudbright Children's Festival • High School Fun Day, • Paisley High School Fun Day, • Strathaven, • Cumbernauld. Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showman: - Lessee & Tenants at: • Airdrie May Fair, • Perth (Summer Fair), • Truckfest Scotland, • Airdrie (September Fair), • Rutherglen Landemers Day, (Main Street) • Carluke Ham & Jam Festival, • Grangemouth Gala, (75ft Dodgem & 16ft Toy Set positions) • Govan & Bo'ness, • Alva, (75ft Dodgem position) • St Andrews Lammas, (40ft Side position) • Largs Viking Festival (36ft position) Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showman: - Lessee & Tenants at: • Mauchline Holly Fair, • Cowdenbeath Gala, • Tillicoultry Gala Reason: C.V

Scottish Showman: - Lessee & Tenants at: • Denholm Rideout, • Hawick Reivers Festival, • Peebles (spring fair), • Galashiels (spring fair),

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• Selkirk (spring fair), • Innerleithen (spring fair), • Peebles 3 Bridges Races, • Melrose Crichton Cup, • Jedburgh Declaration fair, • Lauder (spring fair), • Eyemouth (bank holiday fair), • Haddington Festival, • Newtongrange Gala Day Reason: C.V

Scottish Showman: - Lessee & Tenants at: • Montrose, • Livingston, • Carnoustie (August Fair). • Saltcoats, (50ft Waltzer & 18ft Kiosk positions) • Darnley • Carnoustie. • Forfar,(50ft Waltzer position) • Shotts • Largs. • Hawick.( 50ft Waltzer, 21ft, 16ft for Kiosk, 26ft Cups positions) • Airth Highland Games. (50ft Waltzer, 20ft Dome, 17ft Cups & 18ft Kiosk) • Aboyne (50ft Waltzer, 21ft Kiosk & 17ft Cups positions) • Ardrossan (50ft Waltzer & 20ft Kiosk positions) • Whitburn (40ft Side, 24ft Kiosk, 20ft Cups positions) • Flimby (20ft Kiosk position) • Clackmannan (20ft Kiosk position) Reason: C.V

Scottish Showman: - Lessee & Tenants at: • Menstrie Gala Day, • Airth highland Games, • Flimby Children's Carnival. • Warwick Wanderers Football Tournament (64ft Tristar, 24ft Bouncy Castle, 16ft Hoopla, 16ft Juvenile Toy Set positions) Reason: C.V

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Scottish Showman: - • Perth (50ft Machine position) • Alloa, (50ft Machine position) • Kirkcaldy, Links Mart (60ft position) • Grangemouth, (45ft Machine position) • Aboyne, (50ft Machine & 40ft Side & Two centre positions) • Queensferry (40ft Machine position) Reason: C.V

Fairs cancellation member by member update 7/4/20:

Scottish Showman: preservation for rights (loss of trading positions) for the following:

• Campsie show-tenant of the campsite show committee Saturday 6th June 2020 • Kincardine Gala- lessee and tenants Saturday 20th June 2020 Reason CV

Showman: • Kirkcaldy Links Mart (20ft side & part of 22ft side positions) Reason C.V.

Scottish Showman: • Orkney County show at Dounby and Kirkwall 2nd - 10th August for lessee and tenants Reason CV

Scottish Showman: • Kirkintilloch Canal Festival - 17th -23rd August, Lessee & Tenants Reason CV

Scottish Showman: • Armadale 18,14ft centre positions. • Kirkcaldy Links Mart 40ft side position. • Dunfermline 18,18,14ft centre positions. • Rosyth 18,18,14ft centre positions. • Carronshore 18,18,14ft centre positions. • Blackburn 18,18,14,14ft centre positions. • Deans 18,18,14,14ft centre positions. • Polbeth 18,18,14,14ft centre positions. • Burntisland 14ft centre positions. • Truckfest 66ft side positions. • Nairn 18,20,14ft centre positions. • Irvin 18,14ft centre positions. • Stranraer 14ft centre positions.

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Reason CV

Scottish Showmen: Lesseeship & Tenants positions at : • St Rollox (spring) , • Glasgow Green (Easter), • St Enoch (Easter), • St Enoch (Summer), • St Enoch (September weekend) • St Enoch (October fairs), • Paisley food festival, • Paisley pipe band (event), • Paisley (May holiday), • Barrhead (spring Fair), • spring Fair), • Greenock (spring Fair), • Kilwining Gala, • Fauldhouse Gala, • Linlithgow Marches, • Ormiston Gala, • Beith Fair, • Port Glasgow (backend- autumn – Fair) • Greenock (backend -autumn – Fair) • Ayr (backend – autumn – Fair) • Silverburn (Lessee &Tenants positions) part of these Fairs:

• Tranent Gala, • Kilwining party in the park, • Ardrosan Highland games, • Grangemouth (Twist & Funhouse positions), • Witburn (Miami ride position), • Burntisland (100ft side and 40ft Centre positions), • Aboyne (Miami ride position) Reason CV

Scottish Showmen: • Armadale Spring Fair (44’ side ,21’ & 18’ centre positions) • Perth Spring Fair (76’ funhouse, 40’, 20’ side, 21’, 18’, 18’ centre positions) • Dumfries March Fair (52’ side position) • Kirkcaldy Links Market (68’, 34’, 80’ side, 36’, 24’, 20’ centre positions) • Bathgate Gala (45’, 38’ side, 16’ centre positions) • Fauldhouse Gala (40’ side, 24’, 18’ centre positions) • Linlithgow Gala (24’ centre position)

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• Whitburn Gala (50’ side, 24’ centre positions) • Grangemouth Gala (40’, 44’ side, 24’, 18’, 14’ centre positions) • Ceres Highland Games (80’ side, 18’, 14’ centre positions) • Burntisland Summer Fair (54’, 34’ side, 70’ funhouse, 22’, 15’, 14’, 18’, 18’, 18’ centre positions) • Truckfest Scotland (45’ side position) • Nairn Highland Games (95’ side, 18’, 14’, 24’ centre positions) • Irvine Merrymass Festival (77’ side, 24’ centre positions Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showmen: • Giffnock rugby club beer festival (for lessee and tenants’ positions). • Hamilton Xmas light switch-on (for lessee and tenants’ positions). • Rutherglen Xmas lights switch-on (for lessee and tenants’ positions • Cambuslang Xmas lights switch-on (for lessee and tenants’ positions • Carluke Xmas lights switch on (for lessee and tenants’ positions). Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showmen: • Alloa spring Fair (32ft side, 22ft Centre positions). • Tranent gala (10ft side). • Newton Grange Gala (22ft centre, 10ft side positions). • Livingston Gala (24ft and 22ft centre positions). • Linlithgow (34ft side, 24ft and 18ft centre positions). • Whitburn Gala (22ft and 18ft centre positions). • Burntisland (40ft side and 24ft centre positions). • Falkirk Tryst (event) (12 ft side and 24ft centre positions). • Aboyne Games (two 24ft kiosk positions). • Carluke (24ft kiosk position). Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showmen: • Camelon September Fair (100ft side and 24ft centre positions). Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showmen: - Lessee & Tenants positions at • Queenspark, Stirling April Fair • Queenspark, Stirling October Fair, • Livingston May fair • Livingston October Fair, • Drymen Show, • Glasgow Green, • Dunbar, • Dunfermline, • Preston Pans,

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• Bathgate Sept, • Kilmarnock, • Bathgate Gala Day (56ft Position), • Burntisland (18ft Centre, 56ft Energy storm & 52ft Superbob rides positions) Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showman: • Dumfries Spring Fair (24ft Formula ride position) • Perth Spring Fair (50ft Miami, 46ft Speed buzz, 22ft formula, 48ft Waltzer positions) • Kirkcaldy Links Mart (48ft Miami, 44ft Speed Buzz, 60ft Machine, 40ft Side & 30ft Show positions) • Alloa Spring fair(50ft Miami,50ft Speed Buzz, 22ft Formula, 38ft (mechanical)Ponies ride positions) Reason: C.V.

Scottish Showman: - • Kirkcaldy Links Mart,(40ft, 14ft & 12ft positions) • Whitburn, (15ft & 20ft Centre positions) • Inverkeithing, (14ft Side position) • Burntisland, (18ft & 15ft Centre positions) • Nairn, (14ft, 14ft & 7ft Centre positions) • Irvine Merrymass Fair (42ft Side position) Reason: C.V

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