SRC: Budget falls short of ambition to grow the retail industry

In a preliminary response to the announcement of the Scottish Government’s draft Budget, David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:

 

“Scottish Ministers seem to have their heart in the right place by providing a limited business rate discount for retail and hospitality businesses; but we fear they have significantly stumbled on the detail. At first glance, the cap on the relief which can be claimed means it falls well short of the permanent business rate discount on offer to retailers in England.

“Medium-sized and larger retailers underpin the vitality of our high streets and town and city centres. Those businesses drive footfall and account for a large share of retail employment. By fumbling the chance to adequately match England’s more competitive rates regime we risk becoming materially less attractive as a location for investment. We fear this will have unwelcome consequences for retailers’ investment plans and the health of Scotland’s retail destinations.

 

“It’s worth noting Ministers have clearly listened to our representations and acted positively in straightened financial circumstances to continue the £3 million funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce. Retail crime remains a blight on communities across Scotland and this investment can help Police Scotland build on the positive start this year.

 

“Whilst there appear to be no new significant burdens on retailers, we believe there was scope to do much more at a time when retail sales and footfall are in the doldrums. Regrettably the Budget falls short of the industry and government’s shared ambition of making Scotland the best place in the UK to grow a retail business.”

ENDS- 

Notes to Editors
The Scottish Retail Consortium’s Budget Submission, Aisles of Ambition, can be read here: https://brc.org.uk/media/chwasilr/scottish-budget-2025_v2.pdf

For media enquiries:

Ewan MacDonald Russell 07880039743 Ewan.MacDonald-Russell@brc.org.uk