Crippling £40k rates bill killed off century-old store

A FAMILY firm was forced to close its doors after more than a century when the SNP’s soaring business rates priced it out of the market.

Wm Watson & Sons opened on Perth’s High Street in 1900 selling glassware, tableware, collectables and wedding presents.

But owner Kerr Watson criticised the Scottish Government, blaming its tax policy on the demise of his business.

Mr Watson, who is a great-grandson of founder William Watson, said he had fallen victim to ‘completely unaffordable rates’.

He closed the shop for the very last time last year and made four members of staff redundant.

Mr Watson said the company would pay £ 0,000 in rates over the course of 2016, by far its biggest expense.

At the time he said: ‘The rates were the deciding factor. That’s why there are virtually no independent businesses left in the main city centres.

‘They remain in side streets but nobody can afford it in the centre.

‘It’s the same for independent shops in high streets across Scotland.’

Mr Watson added: ‘We are a small family business – we’re not doing anything like the turnover the national chains do. It is sad, we have tried to keep it going, but it is not feasible any more. Tastes have changed considerably over the years and there is no longer the demand for the quality ranges that we stock.

‘But rates have been the biggest bugbear.

‘Business rates have made a city centre location completely unaffordable for most independent retailers.’