Scottish business groups call for full return to the office
Business groups from each Scottish City have called on the Government to give the high street a boost with a "safe and full" return to the office
Business groups from each of Scotland's cities are calling on the Scottish Government to allow staff to return to the office.
Leaders of the country's 'Business improvement districts' say it'll come as a much needed boost to the high street.
Representatives from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Inverness will meet in Stirling today (February 1) with the rep from the city.
It comes as the economy and fair work committee in the Scottish Parliament announce it'll be launching an inquiry into the future of town centres and the impact of the changing retail sector and pandemic.
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired said “Working from home for nigh on two years has obviously had a dramatic impact on our weekly footfall numbers across our Scottish city centres. This was essentially our captive audience that did so much to support our retail and hospitality sectors on our high streets.
“Whilst the nod to a hybrid model is a step in the right direction, we strongly feel that it should now be for business and other sector leaders to have the discretion to work with their staff on how to implement a safe and full return where appropriate.”
Danielle McRorie-Smith, Project Director, Go Forth Stirling, said “Businesses across the county have invested heavily on making workplaces safe for staff and visitors and government should take confidence from this and work with them in providing guidance to make this happen in early course.
“Make no mistake, our city centres were facing considerable challenge before COVID-19, with this pandemic only accelerating matters. “
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive at Essential Edinburgh, said “My colleagues have already given a strong rationale for a much fuller return of staff to offices. Further to this, we need government to be far more explicit around other supporting measures it has in mind for the longer-term recovery of our city centres. Much of the language at present in focused on the ‘towns agenda’, we need more to be said and done for our cities now”