Among the loudest voices at the packed public discussion following the Scottish Government’s travelling cabinet meeting in Inveraray on Monday were those from the area’s under-pressure hospitality sector.
The manager of the successful George Hotel in the town told the cabinet about the stark reality of his rates, which he said were up 63 per cent.
Numerous small bed and breakfast operators asked for reassurances and expressed confusion on the new short term let licensing rules.
The politicians had answers that only partly addressed these genuine concerns over costs and bureaucracy that can too often prove too much for smaller hospitality firms – businesses that the local tourism economy badly needs.
Inveraray is well-served by hotels, cafes, pubs and restaurants and the folk who run those businesses need to be encouraged to continue their work in making the town such a popular, quality destination for visitors from all over Scotland and all over the world.
Alas, in other parts of Mid Argyll – especially Lochgilphead – hotels, restaurants and pubs are very thin on the ground.
If the owners of hotels and pubs in Lochgilphead, Tarbert and elsewhere in Mid Argyll that are currently closed are to be encouraged to reopen and bring back life to the community, it has to be financially worth their while to do so.
Bureaucracy is a burden that many small businesses cannot bear.
Brexit has done for many of them. One shellfish business owner told the meeting he has stopped exporting to the EU completely.
So closer to home and among its own, the Scottish Government must work harder to reduce bureaucracy and help keep costs under control for the hospitality economy – a lifeblood for Argyll and Bute.