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Towns CPG February 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
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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
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
Contact All our reports and press release: www.fsb.org.uk/scotland Please get in touch to discuss further: Barry McCulloch Senior Policy Advisor, FSB Scotland e: barry.mcculloch@fsb.org.uk t: 0141 221 0775