In This Issue
Sustainability - Doing nothing is dangerous
Record start to the year, reveals GTN Bestsellers
100km team relay for industry construction specialists
100% natural weed prevention product launched in UK
Buyers flock to Glee at Spring Fair as exhibitors report brisk business from UK and overseas
Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase winners
Plant sales up as primulas lead the way
Kelkay win GWP business from rivals
Gardenex secures funding for National Hardware Show
Hillier Nurseries and partners going extra mile to support new Maggie’s Centre Southampton
Pictures from GCA Conference themed-party night
Zest 4 Leisure reveals Charity of the Year for 2020
Award-winning reputation grows for leading garden centre
Gordale staff star in BBC One TV programme
Clothing and houseplants show increases in December
Freedom of City of London granted to compost firm's MD
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
LeisureGrow Group Enhances Sales Management Team with Focus on Pet, Garden & Lighting Growth
Have drip feeders had their day?
Garden retail expert bolsters Vitax’s sales team
Weather, Peat or Price?
Empathy by PlantWorks appoint sales manager for the North
Wild Bird Care sales down
Flymo announces its Ambassador for 2020
Red Baron and Pink Fir Apple lead in the veg patch
HTA applaud vote to keep Universal Business Rates in Scotland
The best of last week's
January sales up on past three years
Glee at Spring Fair is open
Launch of Young People in Horticulture Association
Lubera win award for Best Novelty Bedding Plant
HTA comments on Brexit and Environment Bill
January plant sales are a good omen for a great 2020
Gardenex announces Joe Denham as new chairman
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Casual Dining previews new exhibitors & new launches for 2020
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700


HTA applaud vote to keep Universal Business Rates in Scotland
 

MSPs have voted to keep the Universal Business Rate in Scotland, much to the relief of HTA member businesses.

 

A proposed amendment to scrap the Universal Business Rate across Scotland had passed in November 2019 at Stage 2 of the vote on the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill but was defeated at Stage 3 today.

 

Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee had backed the Green Party Amendment which would have seen the £2.8 billion tax handed to the 32 local authorities enabling them to set their own poundage rate, rates relief and any local rates supplements.

 

Commenting on this, HTA Chairman, James Barnes said: “It is reassuring that MSPs have taken heed and seen sense in voting to keep Universal Business Rates for Scottish businesses. Whilst far from perfect Universal Business Rates do provide businesses with some consistency and predictability and any changes would have brought unnecessary burden. We thank our members for playing their part in contacting MSPs to influence this decision.”

 

Business rates have increased substantially over the last ten years, with significant disparities - garden centres in Scotland are paying a significantly higher rate per square foot, than in England. Uniform Business Rates allows those businesses with multiple locations across different authorities in Scotland and across the whole of the UK, to plan a financial year. A pan-Scotland poundage/tax rate means businesses have some predictability for their business rates in Scotland.

 

The HTA was one of 27 business representative groups and sectoral trade associations that joined forces with the Scottish Retail Consortium to write a joint letter to MSPs urging them to vote to retain the Uniform Business Rate.

 

The Association also mobilised its members to write to their local and regional MSPs making a strong case for why they should vote in favour of Universal Business Rates.

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