The fate of the pound and uncertainty over business costs have emerged as the main concerns of Scottish retailers ahead of the country’s referendum on independence on 18 September.

In a poll of 100 independent Scottish retailers commissioned by Convenience Store, the fate of the currency was named as the issue of greatest concern by 64 store owners, ahead of higher business costs, identified by 49% of retailers, and the potential for new legislation (32%).

Only 20% of Scottish retailers believe that independence will be a good thing for their business, although 25% believe it will be good news for their customers.

Nearly half of retailers (45%) doubt that an independent Scotland would be more favourable to small businesses than is currently the case, against 28% who believe the opposite. Overall, 30% of retailers polled said they were likely or very likely to vote for independence versus 45% saying no, with the rest undecided.

Harris Aslam, who owns four Nisa stores in Fife, said it was the wrong time for independence. “There are too many uncertainties over the economy, currency being the biggest one - most suppliers are based in England, after all,” he told C-Store.

“I’ve spoken to other retailers who agree with me on this. We’ve missed the boat by 10 or 15 years, when banking was at its peak. We’re better off together.”

Sid Ali, who owns three Nisa stores in Aberdeenshire, said he would vote for independence if there were guarantees over currency.

“The last thing you want is for the next Scottish pound to be worth less than before. It’s the biggest concern for most people. I don’t think business costs would go up if the currency remained equal.”

He added: “I don’t know what I’ll vote on September 18 - my heart says yes, but my head says ‘sort out the currency’.”

Donna Morgan of Brownlies of Biggar in Lanarkshire (Best-One), said currency and business costs were also her main concerns. “There are a lot of unknowns. I’m hoping for more clarification over the next few weeks, but I don’t think we’ll get it.”

 SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE SURVEY  
       
  Q1. Are you likely to vote in favour of Scottish independence?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symbol
A I am very close to voting in favour of independence 17 6
B I’m likely to vote in favour of independence 3 4
C I’m  unlikely to vote in favour of independence 12 13
D I’m very unlikely to vote in favour of independence 13 7
E I haven’t decided yet 15 10
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q2. Do you think you have been given enough information by the  Yes and No Campaigns to make an informed decision about independence?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symbol
A Yes 12 11
B No 22 13
C Don’t know 26 16
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q3. Do you think independence will be a good thing for your   business?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symbol
A Yes 11 9
B No 37 24
C Don’t  know 12 7
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q4. Do you think an independent Scotland would favour small   businesses more than under a UK government?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symb
A Yes 16 12
B No 29 16
C No   difference 7 3
D Don’t know 8 9
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q5. Has the Yes campaign properly considered the economic and  business inplications of an independent Scotland?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symb
A Yes 10 6
B Somewhat 31 19
C No 13 14
D Don’t  know 6 1
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q6. Do you think independence will be a good thing for your   customers?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symb
A Yes 16 9
B Somewhat 4 3
C No 30 21
D Don’t  know 10 7
  TOTAL 60 40
       
       
  Q7. What are the issues around Scottish independence that you  are most concerned with?    
  Description Scotland unaffiliated Scotland Symb
A Currency / The Pound 35 29
B Supply of goods 17 10
C Economic  performance of the nation 18 12
D New legislation 19 13
E Higher business costs 30 19
F Other 0 0
G None of these 7 5
  TOTAL 126 88