Access to grants varies across UK Juliet Dennis


Local authorities have begun handing out lockdown grants to high street travel retailers but some agents say they have yet to hear if they will receive aid. The mixed picture comes as Abta


continues to lobby to ensure all high street agents in England receive the same support after confusion sparked by their removal from the list of non-essential shops, confirmed by government last week as it said agents were able to operate remotely. This week, the issue reached


the House of Lords, where Lord Callanan, Parliamentary under- secretary for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial


Strategy, promised to “look into the issue” amid concerns agents were no longer listed as eligible for grant aid from local councils. Local Restrictions Support


Grants (LRSG) are worth up to £3,000 a month and are distributed at the discretion of local authorities. Haslemere Travel owner Gemma


Antrobus received a £2,000 grant for her shop within five days from Waverley Borough Council in Surrey. She advised agents to apply, adding: “Make sure you state your case in the form – plead your case.” Swords Travel received a £1,300


grant for its Wimbledon shop within days of applying to Merton Council, but joint owner Stuart Swords said some agents in neighbouring London


Some councils want loads of information and some have already decided the industries they will give money to


boroughs had yet to receive payouts. “We thought we were going to


have a fight on our hands,” he said. “I couldn’t quite believe it was so quick.” Other agents said they were in the


dark as to their eligibility for payouts. Carolyn Park, managing director


of C The World, has applied to different authorities for grants for each of her three shops and is still awaiting answers.


She said: “For one I had to give


proof of ID and bank account; for the others, I didn’t. Where’s the consistency? It’s time-consuming, especially if they say no.” Spear Travels chairman Peter


Cookson said the process was labour intensive for 12 branches in different local authority areas. He said: “It’s not straightforward, unlike the previous £10,000 and £25,000 grants, which took five minutes. Some councils want loads of information and some have already decided the industries they will give money to.” Abta said agents could still be


eligible for a discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant if they are unable


to access an LRSG. i Get Social, page 25


MSC and NCLH back fifth terminal at Southampton


Lucy Huxley


MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have reiterated their commitment to ex-UK cruising after partnering with Associated British Ports for the opening of a fifth cruise terminal in Southampton. The terminal in the city’s Western


Docks will be “next-generation- ready”, enabling it to accommodate 6,000-passenger ships, and is due to be open for the start of the 2021 season, pending Foreign Office advice against ocean cruising being lifted.


6 26 NOVEMBER 2020 The £55 million facility will


feature roof-mounted solar power and shore power connectivity, and has received an £8 million government grant via the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership. Both MSC and NCLH have


committed to sailing from the terminal, with the former agreeing to homeport at least one ship for the duration of what it described as a “long-term” agreement, starting in 2021 with MSC Magnifica in its second full ex-UK season. Antonio Paradiso, UK & Ireland managing director, said: “We are


committed to providing UK and Irish guests with the holidays they want, and travel agents with the products they want to sell. “This announcement is the result


of the ongoing feedback we have received from agents and guests.” He added: “We have seen good


demand for our ex-UK sailings for 2021 despite the difficult circumstances and are sure this demand will continue into 2021 as we see more travel corridors open up and guests start to feel more confident in booking holidays.”


Steve Moeller, senior


vice-president of commercial development at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said: “This agreement marks the continuation of the strong partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and the Port of Southampton, and demonstrates our commitment to the region. “We are pleased to further


promote environmental conservancy by partnering with Associated British Ports for the new terminal that will feature shore power and roof-mounted solar power.”


travelweekly.co.uk


Artist’s impression of the fifth cruise terminal at Southampton


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