ACS Welcomes Quality of Life Report
13 Sep 2007
ACS, the campaigning voice of local shops, has welcomed the ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’ published by a Conservative policy group. The Quality of Life policy group, led by John Gummer MP and Zac Goldsmith, suggests ideas on areas of 21st century Britain, from urban planning to climate change.
The report suggests:
• charging for out-of-town parking to promote the use of local shops;
• planning reforms to promote a variety of retailers in local areas;
• specifically introducing a separate planning use class order for small scale retailers and service providers;
• a stronger supermarket code of practice to promote UK suppliers;
• a ban on below cost selling to make the grocery market more competitive.
James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive, said: “We welcome this report and believe that its proposals deserve serious consideration. We fully agree with the concerns it raises and the vision for the future of the communities in which people live and the promotion of a more sustainable food chain.
“We agree that independent shops have a vital part to play in a sustainable food retail sector, preserving both routes to market for local suppliers and accessibility for those that do not wish to use their car.
"We fully agree that planning policy needs to be geared towards ensuring that independents in the retail sector are able to thrive. In particular that planning policy should be set up to ensure that retail is available to the community in a number of different formats and locations. We also agree with the report’s view that diversity is undermined by the planning system allowing too much large scale out-of-town development.
"The suggestion for a separate use class for small scale retailers and service providers is interesting and innovative, and certainly merits further discussion."
James Lowman continued: "We also agree that in our current market, which is dominated by the major supermarkets, anti-competitive practices have taken hold; we welcome the report’s view that the Supermarket Code of Practice should be strengthened to ensure that dealings with suppliers are transparent and fairer. We also accept the recommendation to ban below cost selling which can have a direct impact on competitiveness and diversity in local markets across the country."
Mr Lowman also responded to the reports proposals for charging on out of town parking: “Our members provide shopping in the places where people live and work and most of their customers travel from within walking distance. Encouraging customers to walk more and drive less is a key part of sustainable retailing. Government at national and local level need to look at the options for making this change.
“The current system of car parking charges is inherently unfair on retailers trading in and around town centres. Out of town superstores have large amounts of car park space on which they pay low business rates, while town centre parking and public transport options are expensive and less attractive. We welcome this report and see these proposals as one of the options that should be fully explored. We look forward to contributing to the debate that this report will generate.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The full report can be found at: http://www.qualityoflifechallenge.com/documents/fullreport-1.pdf.
The report suggests:
• charging for out-of-town parking to promote the use of local shops;
• planning reforms to promote a variety of retailers in local areas;
• specifically introducing a separate planning use class order for small scale retailers and service providers;
• a stronger supermarket code of practice to promote UK suppliers;
• a ban on below cost selling to make the grocery market more competitive.
James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive, said: “We welcome this report and believe that its proposals deserve serious consideration. We fully agree with the concerns it raises and the vision for the future of the communities in which people live and the promotion of a more sustainable food chain.
“We agree that independent shops have a vital part to play in a sustainable food retail sector, preserving both routes to market for local suppliers and accessibility for those that do not wish to use their car.
"We fully agree that planning policy needs to be geared towards ensuring that independents in the retail sector are able to thrive. In particular that planning policy should be set up to ensure that retail is available to the community in a number of different formats and locations. We also agree with the report’s view that diversity is undermined by the planning system allowing too much large scale out-of-town development.
"The suggestion for a separate use class for small scale retailers and service providers is interesting and innovative, and certainly merits further discussion."
James Lowman continued: "We also agree that in our current market, which is dominated by the major supermarkets, anti-competitive practices have taken hold; we welcome the report’s view that the Supermarket Code of Practice should be strengthened to ensure that dealings with suppliers are transparent and fairer. We also accept the recommendation to ban below cost selling which can have a direct impact on competitiveness and diversity in local markets across the country."
Mr Lowman also responded to the reports proposals for charging on out of town parking: “Our members provide shopping in the places where people live and work and most of their customers travel from within walking distance. Encouraging customers to walk more and drive less is a key part of sustainable retailing. Government at national and local level need to look at the options for making this change.
“The current system of car parking charges is inherently unfair on retailers trading in and around town centres. Out of town superstores have large amounts of car park space on which they pay low business rates, while town centre parking and public transport options are expensive and less attractive. We welcome this report and see these proposals as one of the options that should be fully explored. We look forward to contributing to the debate that this report will generate.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Michael Saxton Grappa
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The full report can be found at: http://www.qualityoflifechallenge.com/documents/fullreport-1.pdf.