MP Talks Shop in Monmouth
17 Oct 2007
Monmouthshire MP David TC Davies has visited Tew’s Budgens on Cinderhill Street, Monmouth, to show his support for local shops serving the community.
The Budgens store, owned by award-winning retailer Susie Hawkins, is a prime example of a convenience forecourt run by an established retailing family. She has owned and run the Monmouth store for three years and her family have been in the convenience sector for 34 years.
Susie raised the particular issue of ‘drive offs’ and shop theft with her MP David TC Davies and she highlighted the need for there to be a more coherent government strategy to tackling this problem.
David TC Davies commented: "Trading conditions are getting tougher for small businesses. Competition from supermarkets, high overheads, pilfering and anti- social behaviour have all taken their toll of late.
"I was delighted to accept the invitation to visit the newly refurbished forecourt and store in my home town of Monmouth. I am very impressed with what I have seen. In my opinion, it is vital that rural areas like Monmouthshire maintain a thriving convenience store sector to run alongside the major supermarkets that we all use.
"Susie Hawkins has shown great vision and energy in driving this project forward. Susie has created a dynamic new business using the most up to date methods and technology. We are very lucky to have her trading here in Monmouth."
Susie Hawkins added: “I am very pleased to have hosted David in my store today to highlight the issues that I as a small retailer face. I feel it is important for MPs to understand the matters important to local retailers and that there needs to be a greater dialogue surrounding strategies for tackling shop crime.”
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said: “There is no substitute for a politician coming to a local shop and seeing for themselves the issues that they face. By showing MPs what convenience stores have to offer, we can build support in Parliament. We thank Susie for her participation in this visit and for inviting David into her store – an example of the convenience sector at its best. I would encourage all convenience stores to follow her lead and invite their MP to visit their store to share their views on key issues.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/07921 372 978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Notes to editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. David TC Davies is the Conservative MP for Monmouth, South Wales.
3. The visit took place at Tew’s Budgens, Cinderhill Street, Monmouth, NP25 5EZ on 12th October at 12.00pm.
The Budgens store, owned by award-winning retailer Susie Hawkins, is a prime example of a convenience forecourt run by an established retailing family. She has owned and run the Monmouth store for three years and her family have been in the convenience sector for 34 years.
Susie raised the particular issue of ‘drive offs’ and shop theft with her MP David TC Davies and she highlighted the need for there to be a more coherent government strategy to tackling this problem.
David TC Davies commented: "Trading conditions are getting tougher for small businesses. Competition from supermarkets, high overheads, pilfering and anti- social behaviour have all taken their toll of late.
"I was delighted to accept the invitation to visit the newly refurbished forecourt and store in my home town of Monmouth. I am very impressed with what I have seen. In my opinion, it is vital that rural areas like Monmouthshire maintain a thriving convenience store sector to run alongside the major supermarkets that we all use.
"Susie Hawkins has shown great vision and energy in driving this project forward. Susie has created a dynamic new business using the most up to date methods and technology. We are very lucky to have her trading here in Monmouth."
Susie Hawkins added: “I am very pleased to have hosted David in my store today to highlight the issues that I as a small retailer face. I feel it is important for MPs to understand the matters important to local retailers and that there needs to be a greater dialogue surrounding strategies for tackling shop crime.”
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said: “There is no substitute for a politician coming to a local shop and seeing for themselves the issues that they face. By showing MPs what convenience stores have to offer, we can build support in Parliament. We thank Susie for her participation in this visit and for inviting David into her store – an example of the convenience sector at its best. I would encourage all convenience stores to follow her lead and invite their MP to visit their store to share their views on key issues.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/07921 372 978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Notes to editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. David TC Davies is the Conservative MP for Monmouth, South Wales.
3. The visit took place at Tew’s Budgens, Cinderhill Street, Monmouth, NP25 5EZ on 12th October at 12.00pm.