SCOTTISH retail sales last month were down by 27.9 per cent on January 2020 – the sharpest year-on-year drop since last April – as shops remained “trapped in the depths of a dark and dismal winter” amid tightened coronavirus lockdown measures. The sharp acceleration in the year-on-year decline in the total value of sales, from a corresponding 16.6% in December, is revealed in the latest monthly figures published today by the Scottish Retail Consortium. However, the SRC, while highlighting the “depths” in which Scotland’s retail sector is stuck, welcomed a “bold” extension of business rates relief for the sector announced yesterday by the Scottish Government.
Scottish Retail Consortium and HTA call for garden centre reopening
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans to publish a revised Covid Strategic Framework next week and suggested non-essential shops, such as garden centres, could be among the first steps of re-opening from lockdown.
by Matthew Appleby
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Scottish Government extends business rates relief after budget clarity February 16, 2021, 4:59 pm
The Finance Secretary initially said the relief would be extended for just three months until clarity on funding was offered (Jane Barlow/PA)
Some businesses will not pay non-domestic rates in the next financial year, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced.
Following an announcement by the UK Government of £1.1 billion in consequential funding to be made available to Scotland, the proposed three-month extension of relief given to firms due to the coronavirus pandemic, the policy will now be in effect for the whole of 2021-22, affecting retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses.
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