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SGF Two-minute Survey: Business Rates relief for retailers and the wider convenience sector

This April, SGF launched an online resource to help convenience retailers calculate their adjusted Business Rates relief for 2023/24. This followed the Scottish Government’s announcement that the Small Business Bonus Scheme will now only provide tapered support, based on Rateable Values (RV). Reducing the amount of relief some retailers receive (impacting businesses between £12,000RV - £15,000RV).
 
In spite of this, SGF has repeatedly called on the Scottish Ministers to urgently deliver on the promise of a New Deal for Business, by committing to match the 75% rates relief available in Wales and England (for all Retail, Hospitality & Leisure businesses up to £110,000 RV).
 
With the budget negotiations for 2024/25 underway, we are seeking your views on this critical issue for the sector.

(No personal or financial information is collected, and all responses are anonymous)
1.Which of these options best describes your business?
2.Does your business receive rates relief from the Small Business Bonus Scheme?
3.Does your business receive 100% rates relief from the SBBS (for businesses below £12,000RV)?
4.Has the amount of rates relief received through the SBBS increased or decreased in the past year?


In comparison to 2022/23, our business received:
5.How has the amount you pay in Business Rates changed in the past year? Comparing the financial years 2022/23 to 2023/24.
6.Business Rates for Scottish businesses has been higher than elsewhere in UK over a number of years (poundage has now been frozen at 49.8p for 2023/24). How much does this impact on the competitiveness and viability of Scottish business compared to their counterparts elsewhere?
7.If the Scottish Government matched the 75% rates relief for Retail, Hospitality & Leisure (up to £110,000RV) seen elsewhere in the UK, how much would this impact on the competitiveness and viability of your business?
8.If the Scottish Government matched the 75% rates relief for Retail, Hospitality & Leisure (up to £110,000RV) seen elsewhere in the UK, how much more likely would you be to invest in your business or employ more staff?
9.Please provide any further information or comments here: