MP Talks Shop in Llwynhendy
19 Feb 2007
Local MP Nia Griffith paid a visit to local SPAR retailer Mrs Patel and heard about the issues faced by local shops. A keen supporter of neighbourhood shops, Nia Griffith talked about the main challenges that local retailers face. In particular she heard about the challenge of competing against the major stores and the impact of crime.
Mrs Patel and her staff are an integral part of the Llwynhendy community, having run the store for over 16 years. Operating as part of the SPAR group, the store is run by local people for the local area.
The visit was organised by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and
is the latest store visit as part of an ongoing programme by ACS to promote grass roots lobbying by local retailers.
Nia Griffith is a champion of local shops and recently supported new legislation that would give communities a greater say over how their area develops. The Sustainable Communities Bill is targeted at challenging the phenomenon called ‘Ghost Town Britain’, the catchphrase coined to describe the decline in independent local services in communities across Wales. The Bill looks to give people more of a direct say in what is done locally to promote the communities they live in.
Nia Griffith said: “I was delighted to visit Spar, Llwynhendy today. Mrs Patel and her team are an important local business and local businesses like hers are vital to the community. It is important that local stores like this are supported by national and local Government, it is also vital that local people support local businesses.
“I supported the Sustainable Communities Bill because it provides an opportunity for local people to have their views and community issues heard at a higher level, rather than having things from outside imposed on communities.”
Mrs Patel said: “I am grateful for Nia Griffith taking the time to visit my store today, it is really important for MPs to understand the pressures placed on local shops, we have to contend with growing regulation, the growing dominance of the major supermarkets and the threat of crime.”
Shane Brennan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said: “There is no substitute for a politician coming to a local shop and seeing for themselves the issues that they face. Nia is a strong advocate of local shops in Westminster and like us believes that local shops are at the heart of strong communities. It is the politician’s job to ensure that local shops are given the support they need.”
Contacts
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
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. The visit took place SPAR, 13-14 The Avenue, Clayhendy, Llanelli, Dyfed, SA14 9DW on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
3. Nia Griffith is the Labour MP for Llanelli.
Mrs Patel and her staff are an integral part of the Llwynhendy community, having run the store for over 16 years. Operating as part of the SPAR group, the store is run by local people for the local area.
The visit was organised by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and
is the latest store visit as part of an ongoing programme by ACS to promote grass roots lobbying by local retailers.
Nia Griffith is a champion of local shops and recently supported new legislation that would give communities a greater say over how their area develops. The Sustainable Communities Bill is targeted at challenging the phenomenon called ‘Ghost Town Britain’, the catchphrase coined to describe the decline in independent local services in communities across Wales. The Bill looks to give people more of a direct say in what is done locally to promote the communities they live in.
Nia Griffith said: “I was delighted to visit Spar, Llwynhendy today. Mrs Patel and her team are an important local business and local businesses like hers are vital to the community. It is important that local stores like this are supported by national and local Government, it is also vital that local people support local businesses.
“I supported the Sustainable Communities Bill because it provides an opportunity for local people to have their views and community issues heard at a higher level, rather than having things from outside imposed on communities.”
Mrs Patel said: “I am grateful for Nia Griffith taking the time to visit my store today, it is really important for MPs to understand the pressures placed on local shops, we have to contend with growing regulation, the growing dominance of the major supermarkets and the threat of crime.”
Shane Brennan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said: “There is no substitute for a politician coming to a local shop and seeing for themselves the issues that they face. Nia is a strong advocate of local shops in Westminster and like us believes that local shops are at the heart of strong communities. It is the politician’s job to ensure that local shops are given the support they need.”
Contacts
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
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. The visit took place SPAR, 13-14 The Avenue, Clayhendy, Llanelli, Dyfed, SA14 9DW on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
3. Nia Griffith is the Labour MP for Llanelli.