ACS

21 April 2010

Local shops show that they are at the heart of the election campaign as the number of election candidates signed up to the local shops pledge reached 82 today.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) called on all candidates standing for the major political parties in England and Wales to take the Local Shop Pledge. It is:

“Local shops make a vital contribution to the national and local economy. Shops also provide a valued service at the heart of communities throughout this constituency. As a Member of Parliament, I will work to ensure that this contribution is recognised and supported.”

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We are delighted by the strong response there is to our local shops pledge. It shows that across the country politicians know intuitively that local shops are at the heart of strong communities. They are pledging themselves to work to ensure their success.

“We have displayed the names of the candidates that have made the pledge on the ACS website. Members should check and see if their local candidates are signed up. We ask for members help to promote the pledge right up to polling day.

Mr Lowman explained the value of the pledge: “It establishes a link between us and the next generation MPs that will make the decisions that affect local shops in coming years. Our job is to use this relationship to ensure that parliament fully understands the needs and concerns of local shops as they do their work.”