Tycoon Sir Tom Hunter last night revealed that the dire state of Scotland's economy on the high street reduced him to tears.
In a deeply personal message Sir Tom told how he cried during a visit to his home town in Ayrshire - where he started his business career - when he saw the huge amount of shop closures.
And in an emotional plea before the Scottish Budget on Tuesday the millionaire philanthropist implored the SNP to ease the tax burden on companies to stimulate the economy.
He warned any increase in business rates will only result in more firms going bust, leaving people out of work and reliant on the state.
He also added his support to retailers who are calling for a permanent business rates discount for shops, similar to that in England, adding that its time ministers listened to firms.
His comments come amid warnings that a revaluation of the rateable values of business premises in Scotland will lead to hikes in rates of up to 300 per cent.
The Mail on Sunday can also reveal that Sir Tom, 63, and an alliance of the country's entrepreneurs will launch a manifesto of their own in coming weeks in an effort to influence political parties ahead of May's Holyrood Elections.
His dramatic intervention comes after he previously warned that taxes and red tape under the SNP had inflicted a decade of 'mismanagement' on Scotland's economy.
Sir Tom said increasing business rates would see the amount raised in taxes 'decrease in time'
Sir Tom said he was upset by the number of empty units on Ayr High Street
Sir Tom made his fortune from the Sports Division empire he established, initially selling trainers from the back of a van and later a shop in Ayr's High Street.
Revealing his upset at the state of the area where he started his career, he said: 'I had a walk down Ayr High Street at Christmas. I had tears in my eyes over the number of shops that had closed.
'I operated on Ayr High Street for almost 20 years. It was a thriving hub then.'
Last year it was revealed that Scottish companies have had to pay £580million more in business rates than those south of the Border.
Ahead of the Scottish Budget on Tuesday, he made an impassioned plea for measures to stimulate the economy.
And his opinion on the challenges facing firms extend far further than his hometown, as he warned that punishing taxes on firms are counter-productive.
He said: 'We are seeing real difficulty surrounding the level of business rates in Scotland.
'If you just keep putting up business rates, the amount you raise will actually decrease in time and you will collect less in tax.
Sir Tom's business acumen has seen him honoured with a knighthood and rub shoulders with royalty and celebrities during his career
'If you are the (rates) Assessor and you put business rates up, that business might close and the people who work for it find themselves out of a job.
'People then become a burden on the state because they begin claiming benefits. We have to find a balance here.
'Stimulate to invest, so more people are paying tax into the system.
'What we need is a Government that listens to business. Do things "with" business, not "to" business. That way, you will raise more tax for the country.'
His comments come as Scottish Government finance secretary Shona Robison claims that this week's 2026-27 draft Budget will focus on 'the NHS and cost of living'.
However, her claims come after Sir Tom slated the financial approach taken in Scotland in the last decade.
Sir Tom, who is not affiliated to any political party, had said: 'For Scotland over the past ten years I think there's been financial mismanagement of the Scottish economy, because the politicians don't get it.'
Speaking to the Scottish Mail on Sunday, he also called for the relaxation of the punitive approach Government and councils take toward in-town car activity, notable for sky-high parking charges and increased bus and cycle lanes, which discourage drivers from visiting shops.
He said: 'The way to get high streets back, you need to look at things like parking; let's make it easy and cheap to park in a town centre.
'It is all about balance. I am not saying it is easy. We are suffering climate change but it needs to be a just transition.
'Don't just say the car is "taboo" and you are not allowed to have one any more.'
He also touched upon how he and other entrepreneurs plan to launch a blueprint for recovering Scotland's ailing economy.
He said: 'We have insight into the thoughts of a lot of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
'Once the Budget comes out, we are going to release an Entrepreneurs' Manifesto, what entrepreneurs want to see ahead of the Election.
'What we believe is that business should be at the heart of Scottish life.
'Governments don't have any money; they only get it by taxing hard-working people and businesses.'
'We have access to thousands of entrepreneurs in Scotland. We have listened to them. What they have to say is not rocket science.'
He added: 'Government can collect more tax through a thriving economy, to help pay for vital services such as the NHS and Police.'
Experts believe finance secretary Shona Robison will have an extra £820 million for her Budget as a result of extra borrowing by the UK Government.
Quite how she uses this windfall remains to be seen but early indications suggest it will be used largely on the NHS and direct assistance with the cost of living.
In a statement ahead of the draft Budget, Ms Robison said: 'We will deliver a Budget that focuses resolutely on the people of Scotland's priorities - driving further improvements in the NHS and supporting people with the cost of living at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet.
'We will use this Budget to continue the progress we are delivering in Scotland - bringing down NHS waiting lists, supporting families, reducing child poverty and growing the economy.'