The tourism industry leader’s anger at the licensing policy

The Scottish self-catering industry has criticized ministers for dismissing their concerns about a licensing scheme for short-term letting of accommodation.

New figures showed that the majority of operators still have to apply for the program shortly before the program is scheduled to go live in October, reported Assistant Business Editor Scott Wright.

The criticism from Fiona Campbell, executive director of the ASSC, was scathing (Image: ASSC)

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers said this week that the Scottish Government has “casually dismissed” its concerns about the “expensive and onerous nature of licensing short-term rentals”.

Ministers are introducing the program to counteract the impact of the rise in unregulated short-term Airbnb-style rentals, including impacts on the supply of housing for local residents and concerns about anti-social behaviour, although its effectiveness has been disputed.

The first bridge over the River Clyde draws near

The construction of a 170 meter long water canal has brought nearer completion of the first road bridge over the River Clyde which will link Renfrew with Clydebank and Yoker.

It was built by Graham as part of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project. (Image: Graham)

More than 60 people worked on the new outdoor culvert, which will replace an old sewer that was laid for the new bridge and is described as “environmentally friendly”. Most of the canal is dug out of the ground and took eight months to complete. Civil engineering specialist Graham points out that it provides a more natural flow of water for the river from the Kilpatrick Hills into the Clyde.

European buyer acquires “distinctive” property

A European buyer has acquired a “distinctive” property on Edinburgh’s Princes Street worth nearly £30million.

Developed in 2005, the property is one of only a few modern developments on the historic Princes Street lot. (Image: BNP Paribas)

French company Remake Asset Management has bought the mixed-use office and retail property at 40 Princes Street for £29.5m. The site, which has been home to retail chain H&M for almost 20 years, was previously owned by the city’s real estate investment management company Redevco.

Scottish cinema in administration is for sale

A ten-screen Scottish cinema owned by a company that was in bankruptcy has been put up for sale.

The real estate consultant CBRE was commissioned with the sale of a portfolio of eight cinemas. (Image: CBRE)

The Empire Clydebank was one of eight profitable cinemas to survive the initial management of the Empire Cinemas property. Six locations south of the border were closed at the time of the July announcement, resulting in the loss of 150 jobs.