THE owner of two of Glasgow's biggest nightclubs has celebrated a victory after the government U-turned on refusing cash support to his venues. 

Donald MacLeod's Cathouse and Garage nightclubs would have been denied access to the Scottish government's £50,000 emergency grant for businesses impacted by the pandemic because they had been repurposed as bars, so were briefly allowed open earlier this month.

READ MORE: 'Killing the city': Cathouse boss hits out as club is omitted from lifeline funding after reinventing as bar

But today Mr MacLeod welcomed the news that after meeting with the business minister Jamie Hepburn and his officials, the government would back his venues and allow them to access the same funding as nightclubs which had not reopened as bars. 

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced in parliament today that the loophole had been closed. 

In a post to Facebook, Mr MacLeod said: "Great news for nightclubs from Fiona Hyslop at today’s briefing.

"Those clubs who repurposed as bars to save jobs such as the Garage and the Cathouse, which were then closed down due to restrictions will be now legible for £50,000 emergency grant.

READ MORE: 'Gazza once tipped Celtic-supporting Evening Times paperboy £120,' says Stuart McCall 

"Thanks to minister Jamie Hepburn and advisors Joe Brown and Johnathon Ferrier for meeting with representatives, including myself from NTIA Scotland and quickly agreeing to right what was a clear wrong. Result!"

The Scottish Government revealed on Tuesday that nightclubs and soft play centres in Scotland would be able to access grants of up to £50,000 as they have been the only two industries unable to reopen since March. 

Mike Grieve, NTIA Scotland Chair and owner of the Sub Club, added: "NTIA Scotland are very grateful to the Scottish Government and to Business Minister Jamie Hepburn in particular for listening to our concerns and taking action so swiftly to adapt the guidance regarding eligibility for the Covid-19 Contingency Fund.

"A number of nightclub businesses in Scotland were set to miss out on this important emergency fund because they had tried to repurpose their venues to protect jobs, despite the fact that they were losing money in doing so, and had then been forced to close again by the most recent restrictions.

"We advocated directly to the minister that these businesses were unfairly missing out on funding and Scottish Government have quickly recognised that natural justice is better served by allowing them to apply for the Covid Contingency Fund and have adapted the application criteria accordingly. 

"We also very much welcome the commitment from Scottish Government  to ongoing dialogue with NTIA Scotland as this will be crucial to the survival of our beleaguered sector as we navigate the winter months."