Calls to End Exemption on Supermarkets Social Responsibility Levy

Large supermarkets should pay business rates using the same turnover formula as pubs, clubs and hotels and generate an extra £100 million for the public purse, licensing leaders said yesterday, the Scottish Herald reports

During the keynote speech at its annual conference, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) also said a radical change to the rating system would close the gap between its members and the large chain supermarkets, which currently are exempt from contributing towards the proposed social responsibility levy on the alcohol trade.

Yesterday’s call marks the start of a campaign by the organisation, with Scotland’s main political parties saying they were receptive to discussing the proposals.

Small supermarket operators say they too would welcome a more level playing field with larger operators, claiming the rates they pay compared with the large multiples is unfair and disproportionate.

But retail sector representatives have said that alcohol only represents a small part of their turnover and that the two sectors were not comparable.