West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene is backing plans to scrap business rates in Largs and Millport order to save the area’s high streets.

Greene says the proposals from Scottish Conservative Party leader Douglas Ross would give a boost to struggling Ayrshire high streets, where footfall has fallen by nearly 40 per cent this year.

The MSP, who has an office in Largs, said giving powers to councils to exempt high streets from paying business rates would give an urgent regeneration boost to struggling retailers.

Commenting, Jamie Greene said: "Our high streets have been struggling for years and that has only worsened due to the Covid pandemic.

“The proposals from the Scottish Conservatives to exempt high streets from paying business rates will be a huge boost to help regenerate them.

“Whilst the UK Government has provided high street businesses support in the form of grants, the Job Retention Scheme and the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, there is always more that can be done and the SNP Government must show the same urgency.”