AT a time when we have lost many of our small specialist shops in our city centres due to high rates, it's worrying that many pubs, restaurants and even hotels seem set to join them for the same reason (“Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay”, The Herald, February 14). The drastic consequences of changes to drink driving legislation and the economic downturn seem to have bypassed the Scottish Government who want their pound of flesh no matter what. Too much time is being spent on perceived grievances aimed at achieving independence while the fabric of our society is crumbling.

While it's proper for businesses to pay rates, these should be levied in a fair and equitable manner without driving businesses to the wall. Is it too much to ask the Finance Secretary to do that?

Bob MacDougall,

Oxhill, Kippen, Stirlingshire.

YOUR campaign against the 2017 business rates revaluation is ignoring the fact that many businesses will see reductions in their rates bills.

In Falkirk High Street, businesses are going to see their rateable values more than halve, which in my own case will reduce the burden from £24,000 to £11,300 per year. This is going to give a massive boost to town centres and is expected to lead to many of the vacant units being reoccupied.

If the Scottish Conservatives get their way, these reductions, which should have been introduced in 2015, will be cancelled and businesses such as ours in depressed areas will effectively be made to subsidise those in more prosperous areas which is hardly fair. I call on The Scottish Government to implement the long-overdue new values on April 1.

Donald Corbett,

108 High Street, Falkirk.

THE stramash set off over soaring rate increases for Scotland's hospitality sector, pubs, restaurants and hotels, and the implications for tourism, prompt me to reflect that perhaps this Government at Holyrood would have difficulty in organising a party in a brewery; and if it ever comes to independence, then you ain't seen nothin' yet.

R Russell Smith,

96 Milton Road, Kilbirnie.