UEFA European Championship Bill: BRIA

Scottish Firms Impact Test

These regulations will have an impact on a relatively small number of street traders and other businesses in comparison to those operating in Glasgow as a whole. Only external advertising and trading is captured by the restrictions, meaning that many existing businesses in these zones can continue to trade unaffected and certain advertising in place in the event zones when the regulations come into force is expected to be able to remain, minimising the impact on business. The duty Glasgow City Council has to offer affected street traders alternative trading arrangements is designed to mitigate the impact of the legislation on this group.

In order to understand and try to mitigate the impact on businesses, when developing the legislation, the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council arranged two informal drop in sessions and invited street traders, advertising and media owners, and other businesses in Glasgow that could potentially be affected. Other organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish Retail Consortium were also invited. The Scottish Government wants to continue engagement with those businesses that are expected to be affected so that they understand the restrictions and the Council will publish guidance in order to assist with this. The effective enforcement of the legislation will be beneficial in preventing ticket touting and in dealing with any rogue traders who are trying to capitalise on the Championship by taking away business from legitimate authorised traders.

Given the one-off, relatively short nature of the event, the actions that have been taken or will be taken to mitigate the impact on business, and the limited number of event zones, the Scottish Government does not believe that the restrictions are substantial or that their impact will be long lasting.