SGF sets out election stall
THE Scottish Grocers’ Federation has launched its Scottish Election manifesto urging MSPs to champion local convenience stores.
As part of this manifesto, the SGF has pushed parliamentarians to continue supporting the Retail Crime Taskforce to allow for impactful and long-term results to be achieved against retail crime.
Further to this, the industry body has called for a long-term commitment to freeze the basic rate on non-domestic rate charges for businesses and provide inflationary equivalent uplifts to the Small Business Bonus Scheme.
Setting out the SGF’s stall for the Scottish Election next year, Graham Watson, president of the SGF and winner of the Industry Achievement award at the Scottish Grocer Awards 2023, said: “Retail is absolutely vital to the Scottish economy, and convenience stores are at the very heart of the communities they serve. Providing essential lifeline goods that boost local wellbeing, growth and employment. Our Scottish ministers have a duty to ensure that staff and businesses can work in safety and free from the fear of abuse and threatening behaviour.
“As well as working with the UK Government to ensure new regulation supports rather than hinders our good, well-meaning businesses, rather than pulling the rug out from under them.
“That is why we are asking the new government, whatever its political outlook, to take a serious look at how detrimental business rates and over-regulation are impacting small businesses and local shops.
“Our manifesto sets out the key priorities for our sector, where powers rest with decision makes in the Scottish Parliament, and over the coming months we will keep a close eye on the promises that are made throughout the campaign to support business and grow the economy.”
