Edinburgh-based retailer Hanover Healthfoods hosted a visit from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar this week, on the day he called on the SNP-led Government to “support Scotland’s high streets” and match the UK Government business rate relief scheme.
The visit, facilitated by FSB Scotland, comes just a few weeks ahead of the Scottish Budget.
Scottish retail and hospitality businesses have not received the business rate relief made available to companies in England from the early months of the pandemic onwards, which will continue into 2025-2026, albeit at a reduced rate of 40%. Now, Scottish Labour is putting pressure on the Scottish Government to adopt the scheme using funding from the latest block grant settlement it received from the UK Treasury.
Store owner, John McKee, who met and spoke with Sarwar, said: “Westminster has decided that retail and hospitality businesses face so many pressures at the moment that they need billions of pounds of extra support. Well, our message is that doesn’t stop at Berwick!.
“I was was able to explain to Anas some of the realities that as small retailers we are having to deal with. The costs of running a business like this are extremely challenging. Even though we’ve recovered in turnover terms since the pandemic, and we’ve just had four of our best ever months, I’m not making a profit.
National print and broadcast media covering the meeting at Hanover Health. Photo: Garry Clark, FSB Scotland
“Back in 2015 when I took over the business I committed to being a Real Living Wage employer. Since then staff costs have increased by 50%, while inflation over the same period was only 33%. It’s very difficult to get the figures add up. So, let’s see what happens when the Budget is delivered on 4 December.
“It was certainly good to be able to tell my story, and I felt Anas was very receptive to my message. Although he was focused on getting the rate relief issue into the news agenda – it was quite a media circus on the day – I did also get the chance to talk to him about vitamin D and gut health!”.
Main image: John McKee with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar
