Tackle crime, planning and rates, say retailers – Daily Business

Scottish retailers are demanding the next government does more to tackle shoplifting, improve public transport and simplify the planning process.

They also want further action to reduce business rates and consideration of a directly-elected provost for the greater Glasgow area.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) outlines its proposals in the first of three mini-manifestos ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliamentary Election. 

Between July 2024 until July 2025 shopper footfall to retail destinations in Scotland fell by an average 0.9% as government-imposed costs of operating retail stores in Scotland increased by nearly £200 million.

These were mainly business rates and employers’ national insurance contributions. The SRC says 2,380 shops in Scotland pay a higher business rate than the equivalent stores in England.

“The consequence of this is the retail industry is currently retrenching its high street offering,” says the SRC.

It adds that retail crime needs to be tackled through increased investment in Police Scotland and introducing a directly elected Scottish Police & Crime Commissioner to replace the current Scottish Police Authority.

A renewed push to improve transport infrastructure for private and public transport would make town and city centres more accessible, it argues.

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “This five-year Parliamentary session has presented the Scottish retail industry with a series of almost overwhelming challenges.

“There has been a complete shift with almost all retailers of scale now operating online.

“That is the stark reality and backdrop to which policymakers must turn if Scotland’s remaining retail high streets are to thrive.

“The next Scottish Government needs to put town and city centres and retail destinations at the heart of economic decision making. That should include reducing the cost of business, making it easier to visit and to invest in the high street, and ensuring it’s safe for shoppers and consumers.

“Scotland still has some wonderful, vibrant, diverse high streets which are enjoyed by consumers and deliver for retailers. By adopting our recommendations we believe those high streets can thrive in the second half of this decade and beyond.”