BUSINESS rates have been pinpointed as the single biggest worry faced by Scottish publicans, as a survey showed some operators are beginning to see signs of recovery after years of decline.
Despite action by the Scottish Government to mitigate the impact of the business rates revaluation, more than three-quarters (76 per cent) of licensed operators said it remains the most critical issue facing the industry.
The concern is highlighted in the latest survey by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), based on the view of 600 business owners. It comes just days after the Scottish Government said its long-awaited review of the country’s business rates system had been delayed by at least a month. The Herald revealed earlier this year that some pubs and hotels were facing rates hikes of up to 400 per cent as a result of the latest revaluation of non-domestic properties, putting hundreds of businesses at risk of going under.
The latest SLTA survey found 38 per cent of operators reported increases in business in the first half of the year after years of falling trade. However, 39 per cent said business continues to fall. The SLTA again highlighted the impact on rural and tourist businesses from tighter drink-driving legislation, with 46 per cent stating that trade was down over the period compared with the first half of 2016.
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