The contribution local retailers make to their local communities is to be debated in the Scottish Parliament. In major recognition for our sector, Edinburgh MSP Gordon MacDonald has tabled a motion which has now obtained sufficient cross party support for it to be debated in the chamber. The debate will focus on the economic contribution of independent convenience stores to the local and national economy. Scotland has more convenience stores per head of population that the rest of the UK and local shops provide over 41,000 jobs.
The SGF worked closely with the MacDonald to table the motion, which gained the support of a total of 22 cross-party MSPs.
SGF Public Affairs Manager John Lee commented: “This is a major step forward for the independent convenience store sector in Scotland and we applaud Gordon Macdonald for his support for our industry. This is a significant opportunity for us to show the impact independent convenience stores have on the local economy. Typically our members will use local tradesman, local shop fitters, local suppliers for produce, local garages, accountants and solicitors, they each re-invest hundreds of thousands of pounds back into the local economy. This sets up apart from the big mults and this will now be recognised by the Scottish parliament.”
The debate will take place on Tuesday 19th August. SGF will issue a briefing paper to all members of the Scottish Parliament to encourage them to participate in and contribute to the debate.
The full motion reads: That the Parliament celebrates the contribution of independent convenience store retailers to the local economies of Scotland’s cities, towns and rural and island communities; understands that there are more convenience stores in Scotland per head of population than the rest of the UK and that convenience stores employ over 41,000 people in Scotland, providing key services to many local communities not only in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency, but to every parliamentary constituency in Scotland, and considers that a successful independent convenience store sector helps to ensure the long-term sustainability, diversity and vibrancy of high streets.
