Scotland could ‘lose our high streets as we know them’, retailers warn

Scotland is “one bad Budget away from losing our high streets as we know them”, the group representing retail businesses has warned.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) is pressing the Finance Secretary to introduce a discount on business rates when she reveals the Scottish Budget in January.

It comes after the Chancellor announced a 10% discount for retailers in England during her Budget last week.

Writing in the Herald, SRC director David Lonsdale said Scotland risks becoming a “materially less attractive investment option” due to the tax differences.

He said: “Ministers have proved fleet of foot on rates before, for example delivering more regular revaluations and ditching the mooted surtax on grocery stores.

“However, the warning is stark – we’re one bad Budget away from los