Closing courts will affect local economies, warns FSB

PLANS to close courts across Scotland could damage local economies, the body representing small businesses has warned.

The proposals, which would see sheriff and justice of the peace courts shut, do not adequately assess the impact on footfall and jobs in local areas, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The Scottish Court Service (SCS) proposes shutting sheriff courts in Dornoch, Duns, Kirkcudbright, Peebles, Rothesay, Alloa, Cupar, Dingwall, Arbroath, Haddington and Stonehaven.

Justice of the peace courts in Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Annan, Irvine and Motherwell would also be shut under the plans, with business transferred to sheriff courts in appropriate districts.

The FSB has written to Lord Gill, chair of the Scottish Court Service board, outlining the concerns.

FSB Scottish policy convener Andy Willox said: “The health of local economies and communities areintrinsically linked.

“As the FSB has argued for years, strong, vibrant town centres need a good mix of retailers and other businesses, together with both public and private employers.

“Removing important local employers from town centres damages their long-term prospects.

“Often located on or close to high streets, closing these local courts will hit footfall and see the loss of well-paid public sector workers’ spending power.

“This will put additional pressure on existing businesses while making the area less attractive for inward investment.”

A three-month consultation on the closure plans is under way. The Law Society has already warned the changes could restrict access to justice, particularly in rural areas, while Labour MSP Iain Gray said earlier this year that the closures would “undermine the viability” of the affected towns.

An SCS spokesperson said:

“In our consultation report we recognise that there is the potential for economic impact in some communities where courts might close but we are also able to evidence that where surplus facilities have been released in the past, new economic activities have emerged. Those courts proposed for closure have been identified due to their low volumes of court business and their proximity to other court buildings which should reduce the impact their closure could be expected to have on the area.

“The purpose of the current consultation into the future structure of the Scottish Court Service is to allow all those with an interest in the proposals to contribute their views and interests and we welcome this contribution from the Federation of Small Businesses.”