MPs Asked to Back Communities on Supermarket Development Decisions
03 Jan 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the campaigning voice of local shops, has launched an intensive lobbying campaign in Parliament to raise concerns about the recommendations of the Barker Review. ACS has contacted over 200 MPs regarding its concerns about the removal of the ‘need test’ for new commercial developments, such as supermarkets.
The Barker Review’s findings that a new supermarket development should not have to go through a ‘need’ test would only mean a further increase in the number of supermarkets and a major increase in the dominance of the ‘Big Four’. The ‘need’ test is a vital part of national planning policy that promotes sustainable retail development. Many believe that removing it would damage town centres and small independent stores that play a vital role in the community.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We have taken our concerns to MPs, and we are asking them to support our campaign to maintain the ‘need’ test. We believe they will agree with us that it should be Local Authorities and local people that decide whether an area needs a supermarket, rather than the supermarket developers themselves.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7 4864448
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The Barker report can be viewed here.
3. The Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Competition Commission on the effect of planning on competition in the grocery market.
The Barker Review’s findings that a new supermarket development should not have to go through a ‘need’ test would only mean a further increase in the number of supermarkets and a major increase in the dominance of the ‘Big Four’. The ‘need’ test is a vital part of national planning policy that promotes sustainable retail development. Many believe that removing it would damage town centres and small independent stores that play a vital role in the community.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We have taken our concerns to MPs, and we are asking them to support our campaign to maintain the ‘need’ test. We believe they will agree with us that it should be Local Authorities and local people that decide whether an area needs a supermarket, rather than the supermarket developers themselves.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa PR
020 7 4864448
Notes:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The Barker report can be viewed here.
3. The Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Competition Commission on the effect of planning on competition in the grocery market.