CALLING TOWN CENTRE TRADERS

I'm keen to meet with town centre traders to hear how I can support our local shops.

Having initially been contacted by local shopkeepers and café owners about business rates, I have welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will pay no business rates for the 2021-22 financial year. I'm now reaching out to all town centre traders to invite you to a virtual meeting on 24th March.

Traders in the town centre have been under pressure from online sales and out of town shopping centres for some time, and have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic which has seen a 65% drop in footfall in the Kingdom Centre.

Thanks to Dave Carson from the centre for meeting with me and highlighting some of the issues. I’m now keen to hear from local businesses about what would make a difference and how I as your MP might be able to help.

All Glenrothes town centre traders are invited to meet me online next week and join the conversation. Anyone interested should email me at peter.grant.mp@parliament.uk and I will send you a link to the virtual meeting.