A CITY centre business owner that has had no means of income since December has blasted a “lack” of government support during the coronavirus crisis as “shocking” and “pre-dated”.

George Rodgers, who owns Mac's on Sauchiehall Street, says he has been knocked back from all but one lifeline grant since March last year.

The shop - which has offered cobbler and locksmith services in Glasgow for almost two decades - now faces a future of uncertainty due to financial hardship brought on by Covid-19. 

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Covid Glasgow: Businesses still facing closure despite new council fund

Mr Rodgers said: “My family and I have been asked to go without income for months, it is a hand-to-mouth existence.

“Applying for the grants themselves is not easy. It becomes almost like a Little Britain Sketch with the computer just constantly saying no. It is demoralising.

“I have made a decent living over the years and like many others, it has been completely taken away because of the pandemic. That has been completely lost. 

“For the authority to think anyone should go without an income for weeks-on-end is shocking. It is medieval-like and pre-dated.”

The father-of-three argued his business has “undoubtedly” fallen through the cracks after claiming he was rejected seven times from the Strategic Framework Business Fund.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Primal Roast to close city centre location after Covid-19 hits trading

“I would say that we are now in a lot more of a serious situation than falling under. My business feeds my family”, he said.

“Even if we were to be given grants tomorrow, it still wouldn’t be enough to cover the costs of what we have lost.

“The whole situation with the lack of support we are entitled to is so unbelievable that if I thought I could afford a lawyer, I know that I would win my case. Why is there a decision to say my shop isn’t a real business? Everyone is entitled to get help where it is due, so why aren’t we?”

Glasgow City Council recently established an additional £4.5 million fund to support local businesses affected by the pandemic who have previously been ineligible from government support schemes. Applications for the Business Hardship Fund open today. 

Mr Rodgers added: “The new fund has been set up to try to fix the problem but even then, we don’t know how long it will take for the application to go through and be accepted.

“It is another waiting game which could be the difference between death and survival. It makes for beggars belief.”

Glasgow Times:

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Since the start of the pandemic we have allocated more than £3 billion to support businesses across Scotland.

“We are providing 100% non-domestic rates relief for all retail businesses and the Strategic Framework Business Fund provides monthly grants for businesses required by law to close or to significantly modify their operations.

“In addition, our £60 million local authority discretionary fund is empowering local authorities to direct funding to specific groups or sectors within their areas. The use of this funding is entirely at the discretion of local authorities based on the specific needs of their local economies.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman added: “The Business Hardship Fund will be open to applications between February 5 and February 19.  

“The whole purpose of this fund is to support those businesses who have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of previous business support schemes, and we would advise those eligible for this support to apply as soon as possible in order that funds can be allocated quickly.  

“The council has already allocated more than £170 million to Glasgow businesses affected by the pandemic.”