NEWS ANALYSIS
“However much they tried to smooth things out, it would involve a whole new layer of administration and it’s not something I would want,” he says. “I’d rather spend my time selling toys and games.” Of course, it’s not all been
negative response, and ToyHub’s Gourley believes that with plans to scrap airline tax and the chance to escape the cog-works of the London-centric economy, an independent Scotland is an attractive prospect. As a member of the
Toymaster buying group, And armed with such
experience, the buying group is now preparing itself for an increase of Scottish members, should the country vote for its independence. “Toymaster has several members in Scotland and I would expect to see this grow if Scotland voted for independence,” Ian Edmunds, Toymaster’s marketing and operations director, explains. “Especially if they left the Sterling, which would make paying Sterling based suppliers more time consuming and expensive.”
Scotland’s finances are healthier than the UK. There’s no need to
raise taxation. MSP Fergus Ewing
Gourley is confident that any issue surrounding international suppliers will be resolved by the team, well versed in dual currency and overseas shipping, through its network of Irish and Channel Island toy retailers.
While the Scottish
Government sets out to champion the independent retailer with its offers of small business bonuses and a collaboration with small businesses to develop its town centre regeneration
independent currency would present major challenges to overcome. “Trade will go on and not
ToyHub owner Helen Gourley believes more information is needed
strategy, is it enough to ensure the survival of some of its independent shops? Two years ago, Bus Stop
Toy Shop’s Conner told The Guar
dian that he had
avoided joining buying groups like Toymaster, because he ‘didn’t want to limit what he had to offer his customers, or have to order high minimum numbers.’ However, faced with the
hypothetical changes, Conner is keeping his options open. “I have always been
fiercely proud of being a truly independent store,” he says. “I’d like to stay that way, but now would never rule anything out. With the
potential for Scotland to leave the Sterling, joining one is a possibility.” Martin Grossman, managing director of the Glasgow-based toy supplier, H. Grossmans however, believes his firm would see “very little change” in a post-yes vote Scotland. “We deal with lots of
retailers in Southern Ireland with no extra work at all, so there will be very little change for us,” he explains. But despite reporting no issues or concerns from any of his customers in the lead up to voting day, Grossman does admit that an
cause retailers issues unless we do get our own currency,” he says. “It will be a sad day. Taking in a bottle of whiskey for a chicken or exchanging sheep for a haircut.” Perhaps Grossman’s tongue in cheek answer reveals a greater truth of the issues facing Scotland’s toy industry. “We think that at the moment, everyone is a wee bit in denial,” explains ToyHub’s Gourley. “But what concerns us more is the lack of tangible information from either side to allow us to make an more informed decision.” So, would trading
conditions in an independent Scotland be better? Perhaps in the midst of all the political gun slinging from both sides, the only reasoning we can conclude for now is that of one of Glasgow’s favourite exports, Kenny Dalglish: Mibbes Aye and Mibbes Naw.
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