A north-east couple who run a paint company have warned that forthcoming changes to business rates could force them to shut down.
Graham and Linda Dawson have run their outlet in East Tullos for three and a half years.
They had already been hit by the downturn in oil and gas which has eaten into their profit margins. But now, they fear an increase of £7,500 in business rates could force them to close the doors of Graham Dawson Body and Paint Shop Limited for good.
Mrs Dawson said they were “fighting to survive” and did not disguise the severity of the situation.
She said: “We have been in business now for three and a half years and, until recently, were doing well for a new company.
“Unfortunately, like many others, we have been hit by the ripple effect of the recent oil crisis in the city and seen our profits drop significantly.
“We have been fighting to survive, but fear the proposed tax increase will force us to close our business when we employ three members of staff.
“Our current rates are £13,500, but the proposed rates are £21,000, an increase of over 50%.
“This may not seem a huge amount to some companies, but this is huge to us.”
She explained her company was in the worst of all positions, being unable to pay the tax and not benefiting from a Scottish Government scheme directed at the hospitality sector.
She added: “We are not against paying tax, we just want equity across all sectors.
“We are now on a cliff face where we are no longer eligible for the small business bonus scheme, have the pending increase and do not benefit from the Scottish Government scheme directed to supporting the hospitality business and offices.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “On top of our business rates package, which will deliver an overall tax cut of £155million next year, we have listened to business and are now providing further targeted support for particular sectors and specifically for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire where it is most needed.
“The total rates relief package is now worth over £660 million, and councils are empowered to apply further reductions to address any local issues as they see fit.”