ACS

Retailers set out ten point plan for supporting local shops and the communities they serve.

ACS will today launch its Heart of the Community campaign. The campaign will bring together local shop owners from across the UK to discuss issues crucial for them to weather the current economic storm and ensure that local communities remain strong and vibrant places. This will be done through the presentation and discussion of a ten point plan that will be debated in detail throughout the day.

Speaking at the launch of the ACS Heart of the Community Campaign, Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This ten point plan is a blueprint for supporting the local shop. Thriving local shops provide a heartbeat to strong local communities. Over the next few weeks and months retailers across the country will carry this message to the politicians.

“Our proposals will provide direct help to shops saving money from the bottom line and freeing them of restrictions that hamper their ability to invest and grow. Here are three examples:

“First action to reduce the burden of business rates on high street shops creating an exemption scheme that allows councils to intervene and reduce costs for vital community stores.

“Second concerted action against shop thieves with sanctions for those persistent repeat and sometimes violent offenders that make life harder and undermine shops ability to trade.

“Third retain a strong planning restriction on out of town supermarkets that divert trade away from high streets.”

Mr Lowman will be speaking at the Heart of the Community Seminar taking place at 10am on the 3rd November. Speaking from the platform are from Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Business and Regulatory Reform), Department for Business, Innovation & Skills; Liberal Democrat Vice Treasurer, Jeremy Browne and roundtable MPs Conservative shoplifting campaigner, Anne McIntosh; Labour MP John Grogan; and Liberal Democrat Manifesto Co-ordinator, Dan Rogerson.

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. The ACS Heart of the Community event takes place on Tuesday 3rd November at the Imperial War Museum in London. For more information, go to http://www.acs.org.uk/en/networking_and_events/events/heart-of-the-community/
3. To view the Heart of the Community Campaign document click here: http://www.acs.org.uk/en/lobbying/heart-of-the-community-campaign/