High streets, high stakes: retail’s role in Scotland’s future

At Burness Paull we are proud of our enduring connection to the retail sector.

So many of our clients have a direct interest in retail – whether they be operators, service providers, investors, landlords or developers. Against that backdrop we have been, and remain, an active supporter of the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).

This week we hosted the SRC, their senior leadership team and a stellar line up of their retail members for a round table lunch in our Edinburgh offices.  We were joined by Shona Robinson MSP, the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary, for a discussion that sought to focus on the future of Scotland’s high streets.

The SRC have been swift to publish their own retail manifesto for towns and city centres ahead of next year’s Scottish election. That publication, which seeks to put retail destinations at the heart of economic decision and policy making, informed discussion around the table.

For our retail focused lawyers these events are a valuable opportunity to hear first hand of the challenges and opportunities facing retailers working on the front line. Some of the recurring themes from discussion were:

• The burden of non-domestic rates on bricks and mortar retailers. There is a continuing desire to see a fairer approach to rates. The cabinet secretary pointed out that access to greater levels of self funding reliefs for smaller retailers are simply not sustainable in the smaller Scottish market.

• Increased employer’s national insurance contributions and increases in the national living wage now weigh heavily on annual budgeting for retailers with margins constantly under threat.

• Retail crime endures as a matter of significant concern to the sector. Contributors were keen to dispel the myths that this is a minor problem with no discernible victim.  Instead, retail crime can be driven by organised criminals and retailer workers fear for their safety.  Funding from the Scottish Government for a police retail crime task force has been warmly welcomed but further commitments and funding are demanded. 

With retail being such a large and valued employer, it is clear that the SRC and its members will continue to have an important voice in the debates leading towards next year’s election.  A vibrant and thriving retail sector can only be a positive if the growth agenda is to be a success.

At Burness Paull we continue to keep close to the evolving conversations and policy changes to ensure that we continue to provide the best informed advice and guidance to our retail focused clients.

If you would like to discuss anything raised in this article, please get in touch with Graeme Bradshaw or your usual Burness Paull contact. 

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