Independent retailers have called on the Scottish government to rethink plans around business rates relief, which a trade group has said would leave small retailers “vulnerable to closure”.  

In the Scottish budget last month, finance secretary Shona Robison announced that 40% relief towards business rates bills would only be given to the hospitality sector in Scotland. 

In a letter to Robinson, Mo Razzaq, the national president of the Federation of Independent Retailers urged the finance secretary to follow the UK government and grant businesses rates relief to support retail. Razzaq noted that this is a difficult time for many small retailers, and they are left more vulnerable without the relief.  

Razzaq said: “The Scottish government appears to have the numbers in Parliament to ensure that its budget proceeds next month. However, we appeal to ministers to review their proposal that small shops are excluded from the 40% rates relief the UK government is awarding. This is because small independent shops are more vulnerable to closure.  

“Shona Robison, the finance secretary in Scotland, has the money in identified funds flowing from the UK budget but is choosing not to spend it in this way.  It is a bizarre decision as small shops in Scotland experience the same tough trading conditions as shops elsewhere.” 

In the letter, Razzaq also said that the proposed £3 million to fight retail crime was insufficient to “combat this issue which impacts on the safety and sustainability of small independent shops”.