ACS

Local Shops are warning of additional costs and bureaucracy following the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to introduce a carrier bag levy on business if imposed in early 2011.

Following a meeting with Environment Minister Jane Davidson in Cardiff, ACS has written to her setting out retailers’ continued opposition to a blanket charge on single use carrier bags.

The Welsh Assembly will be consulting on how a charge will be implemented in Wales early in 2010 with a charge being imposed in early 2011. Ministers have made clear their intention to require all shops charge for bags and their expectation that profits returned on this sale should be donated to charitable causes.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We remain unconvinced that a compulsory charge for single-use carrier bags imposed on high street and local shops is the right measure for Wales. This threatens local shops that rely on customers walking to the shop or making impulse visits. In these situations, a shopper could be deterred from buying because they have to pay for a bag to carry their purchases.

“The point we have consistently made is that voluntary measures are working, and retailers should carry on being able to choose what is right for their store and customers, as is the policy in England and Scotland.”

Mr Lowman also commented on the detail of the proposals on the charging mechanism and how money raised through a charge can be used:

“It is absolutely right to allow retailers flexibility in choosing how to distribute any money made from a compulsory carrier bag charge. Small shops are an integral part of local communities and it is right that they can use this money to help support local initiatives.

“Any levy must be kept low so as not to penalise customers and reduce the likely deterrence to customers using local shops. We would also oppose any measure that required centralised reporting or record keeping as this would add to a burden of red tape on Welsh retailers.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 533009/ 07921 372 978
Chris Noice Communications Coordinator
01252 533013

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. ACS provides free advice to its members, which can be found at http://www.acs.org.uk or by calling 01252 515001.
3. The Welsh Assembly Government release on the issue can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/091103carrierbagcharge/?lang=en