Lib Dems aim to support firms put off by ‘government’s anti-business agenda’

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have pledged to support Scottish high streets as the party said businesses have been put off by “an anti-business agenda in government”.

The party’s plans include working towards a new system of rates with a business value element with the aim of avoiding penalising businesses which refurbish properties or install renewables.

They will also improve public transport to drive footfall with a focus on the night time economy.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverclyde, Jamie Greene, said: “When people walk down a high street of boarded-up shops and empty, derelict units, they are looking at 19 years of SNP failure.

“Too many businesses are going bust and high streets are struggling to survive. Small businesses feel hard done by and big business is put off by red tape and an anti-business agenda in government.”

The Scottish Lib Dems have also pledged to review the safety of vape shops and the risk they pose to their neighbours, following the major fire in central Glasgow which started in a vape shop, and local infrastructure and strengthening the retail crime taskforce.

Mr Greene continued: “We should be making our high streets economically successful, incentivising people to live, work and come together on them.

“In my own area in Greenock, people want to see change. They want their high street to be somewhere they can be proud of.

“Scottish Liberal Democrat plans would deliver change with fairness at its heart and put high streets back at the beating heart of our communities.

“If that sounds good to you, no matter where you live in Scotland, you should vote for us on your second, peach, regional, ballot paper in May.”

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, welcomed the proposals.

He said: “Scotland’s high streets and town and city centres have a great deal to offer, however, they’ve not had their challenges to seek of late.

“Changes to consumer spending habits and to the cost of running retail businesses have taken their toll and many of our high streets need a more compelling reason for people to visit, spend time and money as well as a coherent approach from policy makers.

“It’s encouraging to see the Scottish Lib Dems promise to put high streets at the heart of decision making.

“Ensuring high streets remain economically sustainable, cost-effective locations for retailers of all sizes to invest, easy to get to and safe places for shoppers and those who work there, is the right agenda.

“Committing to strengthen the retail crime taskforce should help deter thieving and make town and city centres more attractive.

“We’re open to reforming business rates but would like more detail on potential changes.

“In the interim, we need to see a promise to at least match the more competitive business rates regime for retailers that is now in place in England and which delivers on the joint industry/government vision to make Scotland the best place in the UK to grow a retail business.”

Richard Begg, head of learning & development at VPZ vaping specialists, also welcomed the proposals to review the safety risks of vape shops, he said: “We welcome the commitment to review the safety of vape shops and any potential risks to neighbouring businesses and local infrastructure.

“It’s important that any such review is evidence-led and reflects the reality that responsible vape retailers already operate under strict regulatory standards.

“Specialist vape shops play a positive role on many high streets, supporting local jobs and helping adult smokers move away from cigarettes.

“We’re keen to engage constructively with policymakers to ensure the sector continues to meet high safety standards while contributing to thriving, well-managed town centres.

“Alongside this, we strongly support efforts to strengthen the retail crime taskforce and tackle rogue operators, which is key to maintaining safe and successful high streets for all businesses.”