'Support small businesses all year round', urges Moray MP Ross
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MORAY MP Douglas Ross has urged communities in the region to support small businesses throughout 2024.
Mr Ross – who was “delighted” to support the annual Small Business Saturday event last month – has encouraged people across his constituency to give their backing to small businesses to ensure they survive and thrive.
As part of Small Business Saturday he visited Pearl Pet Care and Gallery 55 in Forres High Street and met with respective local business owners Pearl Hamilton and Graham Cryer and made some purchases ahead of Christmas.
He says that businesses like Pearl Pet Care and Gallery 55 are the “lifeblood” of towns like Forres and across his Moray constituency and while it was “fantastic” to see people out and about on Small Business Saturday, he says that must happen all year round.
Mr Ross added that the SNP-Green government delivered the “worst possible Christmas present” to Moray’s small businesses when they failed to pass on 75 per cent rates relief to retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, as has been passed on to businesses in England.
He said: “Last month, I was delighted to visit small businesses in Forres High Street as part of the annual Small Business Saturday.
“It allowed me to hear first-hand from local business owners about the concerns they were facing, not just in the run-up to Christmas, but all year round.
“I know many people across Moray supported Small Business Saturday which was fantastic to see. As we enter the new year, I’d encourage them to keep supporting these businesses to ensure they survive and thrive.
“Businesses like Pearl Pet Care and Gallery 55 which I visited are the lifeblood of Forres and communities across Moray which is why I hope they continue to get the support of local people at all times of the year.
“The SNP-Green government delivered the worst possible Christmas present to them when they shamefully refused to pass on 75 per cent rates relief to retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, which similar firms in England have enjoyed.
“That was a hammer blow at the worst possible time for them. I always enjoy visiting businesses across Moray and I will continue to support them throughout 2024.”
