Glasgow-based journalist taking care of business at The Herald. Proud owner of smoking jacket. Personal account.
Glasgow
Joined October 2010
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Scotland's business rates system is too often seen as unpredictable, confusing and unfair. That's why @HeraldScotland has today launched #ResetTheRates, a campaign calling for meaningful reform.
Catch up with the series so far here: heraldscotland.com/news/2664…
Scott Wright retweeted
"When a licensed hospitality operator invests significantly to improve a premises, enhance the customer experience, increase footfall, or regenerate a site, that success is captured through the valuation methodology and translated directly into a higher rates bill. In reality, it is a tax on entrepreneurship and investment"
"My recommendation is we move to a system where rates are calculated on the square footage of the premises and a competitive poundage rate, with a lower poundage rate for all licensed hospitality premises including the larger ones"... the words of @SirTomHunter
“The current system means someone can take on a struggling property, invest heavily, employ lots of staff, buy better products and put their heart and soul into the business, only to see the rates bill go from £6,000 a year to £80,000 within a couple of revaluations".... the words of Jonathan MacDonald
Our call continues: Tax the Property - Not the Business
Read the article below:
heraldscotland.com/opinion/2…
@heraldscotland @ScottWWright
Scott Wright retweeted
'It is like the sword of Damocles is hanging over us.'
Powerful interview with @cairngormlodge1 about the impact of a 620% increase in the rateable value of his property from @ScottWWright. Part of the Herald's impressive #ResettheRates campaign.
heraldscotland.com/news/2662…
Scott Wright retweeted
In Reset the Rates, @heraldscotland business team including @ianmcconnellHT @ScottWWright and @KristyDorsey investigate the impact of a tax system business owners say is unfair, unpredictable and unaffordable.
Access every article:
heraldscotland.com/news/2664…
Delighted to have the backing of @SirTomHunter for the @heraldscotland Reset The Rates campaign.
Writing in The Herald, Sir Tom says rates have become a "tax on entrepreneurship and investment" and offers his thoughts on how the system can be improved:
heraldscotland.com/opinion/2…
Scott Wright retweeted
Nick Nairn backs call for business rates reform - part of an unmissable new series by colleagues @KristyDorsey and @ScottWWright heraldscotland.com/news/2664…
Scott Wright retweeted
'It's one reason we've stepped back from doing more in Glasgow'
A stark warning from Jonathan MacDonald, who has co-founded some of the most popular restaurants to have launched in Scotland in recent years, including Ox and Finch, Margo, Sebb’s and Ka Pao in Glasgow 👇
On day 2 of our #ResetTheRates campaign and
hoteliers, restaurateurs and pub firms tell us about the unfairness and complexity of the present regime.
@NickNairn told @heraldscotland that the system
should have a "basis in affordability and reality"
tinyurl.com/53we4zvb
We also hear from Calum Ross, co-owner of the Loch Melfort Hotel, who questions what the hospitality industry gets in return for rates after seeing his monthly bill rise by £2,000 per month
heraldscotland.com/news/2664…
We also talk to Gordon Drummond, owner of the Cairngorm Lodges in Royal Deeside, who fears the “sword of Damocles” is hanging over his business after seeing its rateable value soar by an eye-watering 620%
heraldscotland.com/news/2664…
We are also urging the Prime Minister to:
• Ensure major online operators pay their fair share to benefit the business community as a whole
• Restore the business premises renovation allowance relief to help bring vacant sites back into use
Business rates are not the most glamourous subject. But by making some meaningful changes, the Scottish and UK Governments can make a difference to the future of Scotland's towns, villages and city centres.
It is time to #ResetTheRates
Scott Wright retweeted
Did you know there are 22 different rates reliefs? @guyhinksphoto has been telling @ScottWWright about the 'postcode lottery' of reliefs in Scotland and why it needs to be streamlined, as part of The Herald's Reset the Rates campaign.
heraldscotland.com/news/2663…
Scott Wright retweeted
Which properties are making the biggest waves in Scottish hospitality in 2026? Find out here 👇
@heraldscotland
heraldscotland.com/news/2650…
Without wishing to simply pile on to misery for #Rangers fans, but at what point will serious questions be asked of this US ownership project? I can scarcely think of a single good decision. Can you imagine the reaction if John Bennett and previous regime had presided over this?
