Mike Pringle Consults Local Tourism Businesses

2.00.00pm GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Local MSP Mike Pringle has sent a survey to businesses in Edinburgh South after research conducted by the Liberal Democrats revealed that

business rates for many Scottish hotels are set to rise by tens of thousands of pounds on April 1 this year.

The survey aims to find out what impact the increased rates will have on their business and what can be done to support them.

Commenting, Mike Pringle said:

"I want to find out what can be done to help businesses in Edinburgh South who are facing massive increases in their rates bills this year. Some hotels are seeing their bills go up by as much as 120%!

"Many businesses are already struggling as a result of the economic downturn. Now the Scottish Government has chosen to hit hotels with the full increase in just one year.

Fred Mackintosh, Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesman for Edinburgh South added

"Hotels in Edinburgh South are the lifeblood of the community, bringing jobs and tourism to the area.

"I am very worried that without a transition scheme like that introduced in England, which brings the changes in slowly, Scottish businesses will be put at a competitive disadvantage.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will campaign as hard as we can with the businesses affected to see if we can persuade the Scottish Government, even at this late stage, to agree to a transition period."