293 February 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

February 2019 t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk
25
Weir
Networking
Our meetings are now held quarterly,
on a Wednesday in Amaretto, Bridge
of Weir. Breakfast starting at 9.30am.
There is a cover charge of £5.
Our next meeting will be held in March
2019 - date to be confirmed. Please
email colin@magifilms.co.uk or visit
their facebook page at https://www.
facebook.com/Weir-Networking-
350783798430333/
We look forward to seeing you all.
Extra £250 for
some families
The Scottish Government has
announced that low income families
will be able to apply for financial
support to help with the costs of
preparing for school from 3rd June.
The School Age Payment will allow
eligible families to receive £250 to
help towards the costs associated
with starting school, like educational
toys and after school activities.
This benefit follows the rollout of
the Pregnancy and Baby Payment in
December, which aims to help cover
some of the costs of having children.
Regulations for the School Age
Payment have been laid in Parliament
and, once approved, the payment will
then open for applications.
Further details can be found on
mygov.scot.
Community focus key to high
street success
Responding to the publication of the Government’s High Street Report authored
by Sir John Timpson, Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said:
“Our local high streets have been in the spotlight more than ever this year, with
an increasing number of empty shops, job losses, and high profile chain and
department stores going out of business. Small firms are in the midst of this,
up against spiralling business rates, high rents and online competition. The
challenges of expensive town centre parking and the loss of bank branches
and ATMs all add to this.
“These recommendations emphasise a community-focussed approach to
tackling the challenges facing the high street. Small businesses are at the
heart of our communities, providing jobs, bespoke products and a personal
service, which should be conserved. A healthy high street should be diverse –
not just featuring retail but also hospitality, services like hairdressers as well as
gyms and shared workspaces for the self-employed.
“Parking remains a huge issue for high streets and town centres. High parking
charges and a lack of spaces often put off shoppers from visiting their local
shops, instead favouring out of town centres with free parking. It’s positive that
the report highlights this and calls on local authorities to review their parking
provision to make sure it is encouraging footfall and attracting shoppers back
to the high street.
“At October’s Budget, we welcomed the new Future High Streets Fund and a
new business rate discount, which should give some relief to small firms on
the high street.
“We now need to start seeing solid details of how businesses can access these
much-needed rate relief funds. Business rates are a huge burden on small
firms with the overall bill expected to rise to over £30bn next year, so it’s right
that this extra funding has been pledged. But to have an impact, it needs to
reach those that need it across the country, applying immediately to bills that
cover the period from 1st April next year.”
Estate Agency by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors
It is crucial that you seek legal advice as soon as you decide you sell your
home. In addition to instructing a Solicitor, you will also have to instruct an
Estate Agent to market your property. To ensure the sale proceeds as smoothly
and as efficiently as possible, it is sensible to instruct a Solicitor whose firm
also has an Estate Agency practice. There are several key advantages to you
in doing so:
All Under One Roof
Having two separate professionals involved in the transaction can lead to
delays in crucial information passing between both. Instructing a Solicitor to
deal with both the Estate Agency and legal aspects of the sale means that the
transaction can be dealt without unnecessary delays. For example, legal advice
is often needed before and during the marketing process. Also, offers will be
received directly by your Solicitor with detailed knowledge of your property and
advice will be available straight away on the legal position surrounding any
closing date situation.
Cost Effectiveness
If you instructed an Estate Agent and Solicitor separately, you would pay two
separate professional fees. Using a Solicitor who is also an Estate Agent will
significantly reduce those costs as discounts will be available.
Expertise in All Areas
As well as taking care of the marketing strategy and the necessary legal aspects
of the house sale, a Solicitor Estate Agent will also arrange the Home Report
and viewings of the property.
There are many other advantages to using a Solicitor Estate Agent to deal with
both the estate agency and conveyancing aspects of your property sale. As
your home is one of the most expensive items you will sell in your lifetime, it
is certainly worth making sure that you instruct the right person to help you
through the process.
LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR
Law Awards of Scotland 2018
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