COST OF LIVING: Call for support small local businesses in the Highlands as MP Jamie Stone warns of 'ghost town' risk

MP Jamie Stone is demanding that the UK government rescue hundreds of small local businesses in the Highlands from soaring energy bills, warning that inaction could see many high streets turned into “ghost towns.”

Since businesses are not covered by the Ofgem energy price cap, many are expecting to see their bills skyrocket by 400 per cent in the coming months, so the veteran Liberal Democrat is calling for grants of up to £50,000.

Mr Stone says the “lifeline” payment should go to help keep their doors open and it would benefit 1639 small and medium-sized businesses in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross alone.

He said: “High streets across the Highlands risk being devastated by spiralling energy costs and turned into ghost towns, but the Conservatives don’t seem to get it, or even care.

“Local shops, cafés and restaurants that survived through the coronavirus pandemic, could now be taken down by soaring energy costs and forced to close their doors unless the government steps up urgently.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.