Brian Whittle MSP is calling for radical action to rescue Scotland’s high streets in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish Conservative MSP is backing his party’s campaign for the Scottish Government to adopt a range of measures to give high street businesses a boost.
The call comes as concerns grow that many high street businesses, from national chains to small local shops, will struggle to get back on their feet as lockdown restrictions ease.
While it’s hoped that many more shops in Scotland will be permitted to reopen in the coming weeks, sectors like hospitality and retail are warning that thousands of jobs could be lost if consumers aren’t encouraged to go out and spend again.
Among the ideas being proposed are law changes to relax rules on cafes, bars and restaurants using pavements for outdoor eating and drinking; temporary scrapping of parking charges in town centres and the introduction of a scrappage scheme on goods like fridges and washing machines, encouraging people buy energy efficient replacements. The Scottish Conservatives are also calling for the 2-metre social distancing rule to be reviewed as many businesses worry they won’t be able to accommodate enough customers to be profitable.
Brian highlighted research from support charity Social Investment Business and journalism website Tortoise that showed debit card spending in Scotland had fallen by 37% across Scotland on average.
In Ayr, spending fell by 38% since the end of March when compared with last year, while in Kilmarnock and Irvine, spending fell by 25% and in Girvan there was a 23% decline.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“The economic emergency we are facing is as great a risk to us all as COVID-19. Just as we’ve all worked together to help suppress the virus, we all have a role to play in restoring our local economy.
During lockdown, many of us supported local butchers, florists or other local shops able to operate with phone and online ordering and delivery. As lockdown eases, we have to keep that support for local shops going and give our high streets the best chance at survival.
We are facing the biggest economic challenge of our times and it’s going to take bold ideas and hard work from us all to get through it.
Buying local is something we can all do to help, but the Scottish Government need to do their part too.
The Scottish Conservatives are proposing some serious, practical steps to give our high streets a boost and I hope the Scottish Government will give them equally serious consideration.
It’s time for action to save our high streets.”
