Senior Fed members highlight support for security
SENIOR members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) have highlighted the current trading and crime concerns in a video call with Maurice Golden MSP.
Following on from the industry body’s recent launch of its manifesto for the May election, Scottish district president Hussan Lal was joined by his predecessor in the role Ferhan Ashiq, who runs businesses in Musselburgh and Prestonpans, along with the Fed’s political engagement coordinator Douglas Oliver to highlight the current challenges retailers face.
During the call, both Lal and Ashiq discussed concerns about weak Christmas trading and the impact rising bills has had on retailers across Scotland. Additionally, the pair highlighted both the direct and indirect costs that store theft has had on store owners, along with a recent sleuth of counterfeit currency concerns which the pair emphasised remains a worry for retailers.
The Fed members also reiterated the key elements from the body’s manifesto for the Scottish election, including a request for real action to tackle retail crime such as security grants so smaller shops could afford some high quality security equipment to deter criminals.
Lal said: “We really appreciated Mr. Golden’s time and continued interest in the work of independent retailers across Scotland. We focused especially on the Fed’s call for dedicated retail security grants to help small independent shops enhance their security with things like better CCTV and body cameras and we look forward to working with him and his Scottish Parliament colleagues in the future.”
Golden has engaged with the Fed on previous occasions, the organisation said, and has worked extensively with the group since he was became an MSP in 2016, representing the north east region of Scotland for the Conservatives.
Golden said: “It was very good to catch-up with the Fed – who I have worked closely with for a number of years in my time in the Holyrood and I thanked them for sharing their experiences as well as their manifesto ideas which I will feed in with Scottish Conservative colleagues. I hope to meet with the Fed very soon.”
