Dear Ivan,

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and respond to it. I recognise that this is a difficult time for everyone and do appreciate the efforts that the Scottish Government has made to date to support hospitality.

Saying that, I am disappointed with your response regarding table service. It does seem a little unfair to cite poor compliance by some establishments as the reason for the continuation of table service. Surely if the Scottish Government puts regulations in place, they have an obligation to enforce them? In addition, it is highly unlikely that premises not complying with distancing will be complying with compulsory table service. Indeed, I know of many pubs where customers are able to order and collect drinks at the bar. It really isn’t fair that due to poor compliance and lack of enforcement, establishments that are following the rules are suffering. We now have a very uneven playing field in hospitality where businesses are at a disadvantage because they are following the rules and others aren’t…