Independent retailer lays bare challenges to North East Fife MP

The impact of rising energy bills and higher business rates affecting businesses across the whole economy, but especially retail, were discussed when Zaphar Iqbal, a member of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), met with Wendy Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, on Monday, February 16, at his Premier store at Lundin Links near Leven.

Mr Iqbal explained that he had run the business for over 20 years and was a familiar face with customers, along with his wife Rehana and other staff. Whilst the business was particularly busy in the summer due to local tourists and had experienced especially strong trade during the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the past few months had been challenging as cost-of-living pressures had hit customers over Christmas and New Year.

Speaking after the meeting, Wendy Chamberlain MP said: “It was great to catch up with Zaphar, who I’ve met before while visiting the shop. His passion for the business really shines through, but so do the challenges he and other small retailers are facing – from rising business rates following the revaluation to the difficulty of negotiating fair energy prices.

“I’m grateful for the work the Federation is doing on behalf of local shops, and I look forward to working with the organisation in Parliament and to visiting the shop again soon.”

Zaphar Iqbal said: “It was great of Wendy to visit the business again and I appreciate the interest she has shown in the shop and what it brings to the people of the village and the passing trade we receive. However, there clearly needs to be more done to deal with the cost pressures small shops like mine face.”

While Ms Chamberlain represents the area in the Westminster Parliament, the discussion touched on some issues that the Fed has shared in its recent manifesto for the Holyrood election due on May 7 this year. The manifesto focuses on retail crime – particularly introducing retail security grants for small shops and enhancing neighbourhood policing – as well as controlling business rate rises and introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers (DRS) in a way that is cost neutral for retailers.

The Fed’s political engagement coordinator Douglas Oliver was also in attendance at Monday’s meeting.