In the wake of the devastating Scott Street fire in Perth, Scotland’s self-catering community mobilised swiftly to support those affected, offering emergency accommodation to displaced residents.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has praised the generosity and responsiveness of small local businesses, who have opened their doors without hesitation to individuals in need of safe, fully furnished homes.
To assist with rehousing efforts, Perth and Kinross Council had issued a plea to any short-term let operators if they had available accommodation.
With many self-caterers heeding this call, the ASSC says this demonstrates the vital and often overlooked role that short-term lets (STLs) play in times of crisis.
According to independent research by BiGGAR Economics, self-catering accommodation contributes £52 million annually to the Perth and Kinross economy, supporting 1,757 local jobs.
Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “The ASSC offers its condolences to all those affected by the recent tragic events at Scott Street in Perth and praises our brave emergency services for their heroism.
I am proud that the self-catering community played its part in helping with rehousing efforts.
Scotland’s self-catering sector is not only crucial to tourism, but also to community resilience – particularly in emergencies such as fire, flooding, or infrastructure failure.
Self-catering operators didn’t wait to be asked, they stepped up. When people lose everything, what they need is a safe, welcoming space near schools, services and support networks. That’s exactly what our community spirited operators have provided.”
