As the emergency response to the wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park continues, attention is now turning to economic recovery and supporting affected businesses.<\/p>\n
The Highland Council, through Business Gateway Highland, is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Cairngorms Business Partnership.<\/p>\n
The group has issued a survey to businesses within the exclusion zone, gathering of feedback to understand the scale of the impact on businesses, what support might be needed in the short-term, and longer-term recovery and resilience considerations.<\/p>\n
The Cairngorms Business Partnership is also hosting a series of member meetings, providing opportunities for businesses to ask questions, share experiences and identify the support they need.<\/p>\n
Covering an area of more than 1,700 square miles, the partnership supports around 350 firms across the UK\u2019s largest national park, including 17 businesses affected by the wildfire in the Abernethy and Glenmore exclusion zone.<\/p>\n
Bill Lobban, convener of The Highland Council, said: “The wildfire has had a significant impact on businesses across the Cairngorms area and is putting local jobs at risk.<\/p>\n
“We need to see a return to normal as soon as possible, when it is safe to do so, including looking at a phased reopening.<\/p>\n
“By working closely with our partners and listening directly to those affected, we can better understand the challenges businesses are facing and ensure that support is targeted where it is needed most.”<\/p>\n
Craig Mills, chief executive of Cairngorms Business Partnership, said: “While we are all acutely aware of the emergency response effort, the economic reality is harsh.<\/p>\n
“For those directly inside the localised exclusion zone, the closure is total, meaning immediate revenue loss and significant, unavoidable costs like staff wages and fixed overheads that simply don’t stop just because the doors are shut.<\/p>\n
“But it\u2019s important to understand this isn’t just about the closures – hundreds of businesses across the wider national park that remain open to visitors this summer are also feeling the ‘ripple effect’, dealing with a high volume of booking cancellations, increased administration time spent reassuring visitors and a drop in footfall due to the general uncertainty.”<\/p>\n
Mills added: “The longer this incident continues, the greater the risk that some may not have the capacity to recover; that is why we are gathering detailed financial evidence right now to ensure we can make the strongest possible case for support and prevent permanent losses.”<\/p>\n
Ross Coulter, general manager at Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge, commented: “While we recognise that some businesses have been impacted, the area is very much open for business, with the vast majority of attractions, accommodation providers, restaurants and caf\u00e9s ready to welcome visitors.<\/p>\n
“We’d encourage anyone planning a trip to continue supporting the area – every visit helps local businesses, jobs and communities and there is still so much to see and do across this special part of Scotland.”<\/p>\n
Localised road closures continue to remain in place on the\u00a0C7 ski road, the Forest Lodge access road, Lettoch Road and Dorback.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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