This advice has been prepared in response to the concerns in the events industry and is correct at the time of publication. As the situation around coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to change, this advice is specifically for the events industry and is based on current Scottish Government guidelines.
For wider advice for the tourism industry visit the VisitScotland coronavirus advice page.
Updated 1 May
All COVID-19 rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland. However, the virus has not gone away. Use the ‘COVID-19 Sense’ to help protect yourself and others.
Visit the Scottish Government Coronavirus in Scotland website for more information on the lifting of restrictions.
Useful links
Visit the Scottish Government website to view the guidance for businesses and workplaces on reducing the risk of COVID-19 and supporting staff and customers.
Visit the Scottish Government website to view the Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework.
A number of funding opportunities have been available to event-related businesses.
Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund (SERF) was established in conjunction with Scottish Government to help Scotland’s events sector plan and deliver events and to provide support as the industry responded and adapted to the effects of COVID-19.
A total of £2.75 million was made available in November 2020 to support the safe delivery of events in Scotland as we moved through COVID-19, in accordance with relevant Scottish Government legislation and guidance. This fund is now closed for applications.
For more information, visit our dedicated Scotland's Events Recovery Fund page.
The £6 million Pivotal Event Businesses Fund was open to event businesses whose primary role as organisers, suppliers, contractors and venues is critical to the survival of the events sector in Scotland, and upon whom the wider events industry and supply chain are most reliant for their own business and operations. This fund is now closed for Expressions of Interest.
For more information, visit our dedicated Pivotal Event Businesses Fund page.
The £6 million Events Industry Support Fund provided financial help for businesses in the events industry who had not been ineligible for the various funding packages announced by the Scottish Government following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). This fund is now closed for applications.
On 28 January further details of the additional £7 million of funding were announced by the Scottish Government to help the sector deal with the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
For more information visit our dedicated Events Industry Supply Funds page.
Additional event-specific funding opportunities made available by the Scottish Government or VisitScotland will be listed here as they are confirmed.
For information on other business support available, including the Strategic Framework Business Fund, please see our financial support page.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a major impact on sporting, cultural and business events. As part of our work to support the events sector throughout it, we undertook both workshops and surveys to gather inside and intelligence on the ongoing issues faced by the sector.
Take a look at our insights for further results from our industry surveys on the Research and Insights section of this website.
In collaboration with the EIAG, we commissioned a research project with Wavehill Social and Economic Research to understand how events contribute to Scotland’s wellbeing and identify measures for wellbeing impacts.