ACS

ANR has today claimed that calls for ‘Lads Mags’ to be given ‘18’ certificates are unnecessary, and will result in needless regulation at a time when news retailers are already dealing with the deepening recession.

The display of magazines such as Zoo and Nuts is already governed by a voluntary code of practice which urges retailers to keep such titles above children’s eye level and away from comics and magazines aimed at children.

“We are fully in support of the voluntary code of practice,” said John Lennon, Managing Director of ANR “And we encourage all our 33,000 members to comply with it. The vast majority of retailers are responsible members of the community and would not display these, or any other titles, inappropriately.”

The call for certain magazines and newspapers to be certificated follows a Top Shelf Report commissioned by Labour MP Claire Curtis-Thomas, which will be published next week. It surveyed sixth form students and found that 100 per cent of girls who looked at the Daily Sport, Zoo and Nuts were angry, offended or upset by the images they contained.

John Lennon continued: “It is important to remember that our members are community retailers who rely heavily on the support of their customers. They are very unlikely to do anything to offend customers in any age category. As the largest trade association representing news retailers, we will continue to work with our supply chain partners to ensure all retailers are aware of the code and reminded of how important it is to comply with it.”

Contacts:

John Lennon Managing Director, ANR
01252 515001 / 07812 144439

Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Julie Kirby/ Grappa PR
Michael Saxton 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors
1) The Association of News Retailing (ANR) was set up in 2001 as the news and magazines arm of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.