ACS

ACS has launched its new event; the ‘Heart of the Community’ seminar, the flagship Local Shop Campaigner (LSC) event which will take place on 12th November at the Imperial War Museum in London.

The event begins with lunch at noon to the background of Prime Ministers Question Time which will be occurring across the river, setting the tone for the day.

Our event chair, John Stapleton of GMTV, will begin the event just before 1pm. Following an introductory speech on there will be an MP Round Table discussion on “Getting Your Voice Heard and Getting Things Done”. We can confirm that Nigel Evans MP, Bob Russell MP, John Grogan MP and David Kidney MP will attend this session.

Delegates will then hear from Professor Ian Clarke, an academic at Lancaster University specialising in the retail sector. Professor Clarke is currently working on a project in association with ACS on how the local shop interacts with the community. He will be presenting on the meaning of community and the local shop.

Following a break we will hear from our key note speakers, that currently include;

• Rt Hon Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats,
• Phillip Dunne Conservative MP and member of the Conservative Enterprise Group, and Chairs of the All Party Parliamentary Post Offices group.

The agenda will also include a Government representative who is yet to be confirmed. They will be speaking on why they believe small shops are important to the political agenda and there will be the opportunity to ask them questions and get your opinions heard. This really is a fantastic opportunity to get your voice heard by the current and future policy makers in Parliament.

The seminar will conclude with a speech from James Lowman entitled, “Local Shops at the Heart of the Policy Agenda”.

If you are interested in coming to the event then please contact Sarah C Johnson either by email on sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk or by telephone on 01252 515001.