Towns CPGFebruary 2015

Barry McCulloch Senior Policy Advisor

About the FSB

• Business organisation representing c20,000 members and c200,000 across the UK

• Founded to protect and promote the interests of small businesses and the self employed

• 94% of Scotland’s 340,000 enterprises are micros (<10 staff)

• FSB among the best known and best regarded organisations at Holyrood (PA Advocacy)

Bottom line

Making town centres easier and cheaper places to do business

Labelling theory

Future of Town Centres

• Multi-use & multi-functional (retail+)

• Digital and localised trade

• Residential / Places to live

• Accessible and adaptable

• Attractive and safe

• Vibrant and viable

• Affordable locations

• Entrepreneurial and innovative

Making the vision a reality

• Infrastructure investment

• Robust governance

• Business rates – review, reval, relief

• Targeted and tailored business support

• Asset transfers / regulatory hubs

• Total place / whole government approach

• Maximise economic impact from public sector procurement

Home truths: the true value of home-based businesses• 34% of small firms are based in/around

small/large towns

• Top three premises: home (28%), retail (27%) and workshop/biz unit (26%)

• Recruitment intentions: 22% expect to increase FT staff, 29% in PT staff (2 years)

• 1 in 4 turnover £101,000 - £250,000

• 51% of sales are obtained locally and regionally

ContactAll our reports and press release: www.fsb.org.uk/scotland

Please get in touch to discuss further:

Barry McCullochSenior Policy Advisor, FSB Scotland

e: barry.mcculloch@fsb.org.ukt: 0141 221 0775