THE plight of a Renfrewshire business owner has been raised during First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament.

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservative group in Holyrood, offered her support to Ryan Hutchins, whose Linwood firm has been left teetering on the brink due to Covid restrictions.

She highlighted that the next few weeks of Tier 4 curbs would cripple businesses such as Lara May Sofas if they don’t get adequate financial help in a timely fashion.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded by stressing that businesses that are required to close by law in Tier 4 areas are able to apply for business fund support.

Such businesses can get a grant of up to £3,000, based on rateable value, while a grant of £2,100, again dependent on rateable value, is available for those that can remain open but have to modify their operations by law.

These grants are provided to eligible businesses for every four weeks of restrictions with Ms Sturgeon saying the government is working with councils to get that funding to businesses “as quickly as possible.”

Johnstone resident Ryan reopened his firm, which makes luxury bespoke sofas, in September after being closed since March and was doing well until restrictions tightened again.

Around 90% of his custom comes from outside Renfrewshire but, with increasing fears over the virus and non-essential travel bans in place, he has had just two customers in the last three weeks.

Ryan, 34, told The Gazette: “As soon as lockdown was mentioned again, my business just plummeted. This time last year, December was our busiest month.

“What’s happening is soul destroying.”

As well as contacting MSPs, Ryan has also been in touch with James Edmonds, from Renfrewshire Council’s Business Gateway, who helped him secure a loan of £5,000 earlier this year.

Following Ms Davidson’s intervention at the Scottish Parliament, a Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “Our business team has advised Mr Hutchins he will be eligible for Scottish Government grant support through the Coronavirus Strategic Framework Business Fund for businesses required to close by law.

“Mr Hutchins’ business will also have been eligible for government grant support during the previous lockdown and qualifies for the council’s own grant and loan fund, helping local businesses deal with the immediate impact of coronavirus.”