Russell Findlay has challenged John Swinney to join him at a pub in the First Minister’s constituency which faces potential closure over its eye-watering new rates bill.
He urged the First Minister to visit Brown and Blacks in Scone, Perthshire, to hear directly from publican Katie Long.
Katie took on the pub in 2020 when it was derelict and transformed it into a thriving community business employing 26 people.
The pub’s rates revaluation has risen from £19,900 to £52,700 which means that her rates bill is set to double.
Katie said that the rates bill could be the “last straw” which might force her to close, adding that “shutting the door for good makes me sick.”
At FMQs earlier this month, the Scottish Conservative leader urged Swinney to discuss new rates revaluations which are fuelling the “rates crisis” in Scotland’s struggling hospitality sector.
The SNP leader rejected the invitation. But Findlay has made a fresh offer to Swinney after speaking with the Scone publican.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Katie Long has built an incredible community business from scratch, but her crippling new rates bill could force her to call last orders for good.
“This would be a tragedy for a community in John Swinney’s own constituency and would result in more than 20 people losing their jobs.
“I urge John Swinney to join me at Brown and Blacks to hear directly from Katie about the crisis gripping Scottish hospitality businesses like hers.
“Katie understands that it’s the independent assessors who conduct the new rates revaluations which are causing chaos and concern across Scotland.
“But Swinney’s SNP government can and must step in to ensure that businesses like Katie’s get meaningful support and that Scotland’s broken rates system is fixed.
“The SNP think they can keep turning the screw on hard-working Scots, but their reckless and short-sighted anti-business approach is wreaking devastation.
“Scottish pubs are already closing at a rate of one per week.
“Swinney has already refused my offer to listen to publicans before but he should listen to Katie.
“If Swinney fails to act over these obscene rates rises then many more pubs, including Katie’s, might be forced out of business.”
Findlay made the invitation to Swinney on today’s BBC Sunday Show following his party’s conference in Edinburgh.
Katie Long said: “In 2020, I took on what was a derelict pub and spent £140,000 and worked hard to create a thriving community business employing 26 people.
“Last week the brewery told me our rateable value is going up from £19,900 to £52,700 which means that our new rates bill is likely to be around double.
“When our monthly energy costs previously rose from £1,800 to £8,500, I took on significant personal debt, but the rates rise is the last straw.
“I’m considering putting in my notice to the brewery which would put people out of work, harm our community and deprive the government of revenue. The thought of shutting the door for good makes me sick.
“I would like the First Minister to visit Brown and Blacks to hear first-hand about the crisis facing Scottish pubs like mine.
“Yes, rates assessors are independent, but the government should halt these sky-high revaluations and give meaningful support.
“It feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders because I’ve got 26 staff who I feel responsible for, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep fighting.
“We’ve created a great community pub with fantastic regulars. We hold gala days, coffee morning, French lessons for elderly residents and sponsor a local kids’ football team.
“We are busy but it’s just not enough anymore.”