ACS

People are fearing for the stability and integrity of their local communities as they have seen local shops disappearing from their highstreets and local areas .

A poll commissoned by ACS showed that 82% of people feel that a reduction in the number of local shops in their area has a negative impact on the local community. It also revealed that people across the country have seen a spate of shop closures with over two thirds reporting that there are fewer shops in their local area than there were a year ago.

In the same study, 80% of those polled expressed real worries about the impact that new out of town supermarket developments will have on their local high streets.

These findings have been unveiled as local shop owners from across the UK head to London for a crucial conference where they will have the opportunity to raise their concerns directly with politicians involved with the retail sector. At the event, retailers will unveil their ten point plan which outlines measures which Government and politicians need to take to ensure local shops can weather the economic storm and emerge healthily as the country emerges from recession.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Local shops are at the heart of their communities and act as a key indicator of the vitality and health of our local communities. People recognise and value their local shops. The decision politicians make in coming months will be crucial in ensuring that local shops survive, local communities thrive and the feelgood factor returns to the UK economy.

“Local shops will play a vital role in helping the country recover from recession and are central to any ambition to build successful and sustainable communities. The ten point plan unveiled by retailers today will make clear what is needed to support a thriving local shop sector.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS 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 poll, conducted by GfK on the 10th and 11th October was commissioned by ACS asked 1005 people across the country the following questions:

• Please tell me whether or not you think there are fewer shops on your high street or in your local community nowadays compared to 12 months ago?
Response: Yes, fewer shops: 65% Not fewer shops: 33% Don’t know: 2%

• It has been said that may communites throughout the UK have seen a reduction in the number of local shops or convenience stores in the area where they live. If there a reduction in the number of local shops or convenience stores in your local area, do you think this would have a negative impact upon your local community or not?
Response: Yes negative impact: 82%, No negative impact: 16% Don’t know: 2%

• If a new out of town supermarket opened near to where you live and it retailed the same sort of products and items currently available in your nearest high street or local shops, do you think the out of town supermarket would be a threat to local trade or not?
Response: Yes a threat: 80%, Not a threat: 16%, Don’t know: 2%

3. The ten point plan outlined by retailers that will be promoted at the ACS Heart of the Community event contains the following:

• End inflation busting minimum wage increases
• Rethink the tobacco display ban
• Reduce the burden of business rates
• Support retailers on the frontline of preventing underage sales
• Review existing retail regulation removing and streamlining administrative burdens
• Tougher action against shop theft
• Stronger regulation of energy companies
• Retain the need test to promote vibrant town centres
• Implement competition commission recommendation for a Grocery Ombudsman
• Pursue sustainable local parking policies

4. The ACS Heart of the Community event takes place on November 3 at the Imperial War Museum in London. It will feature key note speeches from Labour MP Rosie Winterton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Business and Regulatory Reform), Department for Business, Innovation & Skills; Liberal Democrat Vice Treasurer, Jeremy Browne and roundtable MPs Liberal Democrat Manifesto Co-ordinator, Dan Rogerson; Conservative shoplifting campaigner, Anne McIntosh; and Labour MP John Grogan. For more information, go to http://www.acs.org.uk/en/networking_and_events/events/heart-of-the-community/