Business rates rises totalling £7.6m are being faced by shops in Scotland when the new tax year starts, according to new figures.

A total of 4,520 shops liable for the intermediate and higher property rates will experience an increase in their rates bills, according to information obtained by Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and published by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).

The SRC added these same stores saw their rates bills rise £31m in the current financial year.

It comes after the Scottish Government announced the business rate for all firms occupying medium-sized and larger commercial premises will increase by 1.7 per cent in 2025-26.

This will affect more than 22,000 businesses and marks the rate at a 26-year high, the SRC said.

Around 2,380 stores are liable for the higher property rate and will pay a higher business rate than their English counterparts, for the 10th year in a row, it said.

Hotels will see their annual rates rise by £1.9m, and industrial properties by £7.9m, offices by £5.4m, and pubs and restaurants by £600,000.