Kirkcudbright businessman urges Scottish Government to help Dumfries and Galloway's hospitality industry

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Kirkcudbright businessman has urged the Scottish Government to help Dumfries and Galloway’s hospitality industry. Business owners had hoped the draft budget, announced last week, would see a replication of the situation in England where rates relief of 75 per cent is offered – a move originally introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, while Finance Secretary Fiona Shona Robison announced 100 per cent rates relief, that was only for island communities.

Chris Walker, pictured, who owns the Selkirk Arms and is a director of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said: “It seems that the Scottish Government want to continue to hit hospitality with a big stick.

All we are asking is for parity with our fellow hospitality businesses on the islands and in England who enjoy 75 per cent rates relief and indeed, if on the islands, no rates. “With increases in tax and a hospitality industry under threat it doesn’t send a signal to the rest of the world that Scotland is a welcoming place to come and do business.” South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper has written to the Scottish Government asking for the rates relief offered to islands to be offered to rural businesses.