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Environment Forum

Tue, 08 Sep 2009

The Environment Forum focuses on how the sector can best respond to the environmental challenge, covering topics from plastic bags to food miles and energy efficiency. Can we address the Green challenge and commercial priorities and at the same time ensure that stores meet both the needs of the customer and the environment?

Sa�d Business School and ACS Forge Unique Partnership

Tue, 16 Feb 2010

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has today announced a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Oxford Institute of Retail Management, at Sa�d Business School, University of Oxford to examine the role local shops play in the community.

ACS Welcomes DCSF Initiative on Alcohol Education

Wed, 17 Feb 2010

Local shops have welcomed the Department for Children Schools and Families initiative to educate young people against underage drinking. The new measures include a national football tournament and money to enforce new police powers.

Business Rates Forum

Tue, 17 Nov 2009

In response to the release of the new rateable values on the 1st October 2009 the ACS’ Business Rates Forum will bring retailers together from across the country to discuss the impact on their businesses. There will be the opportunity to challenge government officials, consult on future policy proposal and understand how to challenge their new rates.

We are delighted that Justine Greening MP, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government will be addressing the Forum on policy initiatives from the Conservative Party.

Nick Cooper and Steve Bliss will update retailers on the introduction of the latest rateable values and the various communication channels retailers can use to find more information.

Tony Jemmett FRICS, is a commercial surveyor and ACS’ adviser on challenging business rate estimations.

Convenience Retailing Show

Sun, 21 Mar 2010

CRS is the event for the convenience sector, with the biggest gathering of retailers and suppliers in the convenience industry.

CRS is free to attend, simply go to the CRS website to register.

CRS is the place to meet all suppliers in the convenience industry, from symbol groups to sandwich and snack suppliers. From refrigeration companies to greetings card companies.

NEW 2010 - The Off Licence Show is co-located with CRS and has top brands in the drinks market, including; Diageo, Fosters EMEA and Global Brands.

If you are a convenience store, CTN, supermarket, symbol group, independent retailer, cash & carry, wholesaler, multiple, off licence, coffee bar, sandwich shop, forecourt retailer, you need to be at CRS to:

• Develop relationships with suppliers

• Find out what's going on in your industry

• Source new products

• Learn from other retailers

If you an independent retailer, visit the ACS stand and take advantage of the free advice available from our professional experts. Chat face to face with professional legal, licensing, energy, and property & planning experts throughout the show.

You can also take advantage of our discounted membership if you sign up during the show - check out the CRS voucher book for further details.

Visit the CRS website at www.convenienceshow.co.uk

Better Regulation Workshop

Tue, 16 Mar 2010

ACS has organized an event for members to meet with Minister for Retail Ian Lucas MP and senior officials to discuss the burden of red tape on your business. This event will be a practical and highly relevant discussion on the different areas of red tape that are a burden to your work. The outcomes of the workshop will feed directly into the Governments work to reform and reduce regulation on business.

We would encourage you to attend and come ready to explain how red tape affects you whether it be health and safety regulations, licensing, packaging waste or food hygiene to name but a few.

Your support for this event would be very helpful in showing Government how important our industry is and help us to get real change that will benefit our business.

Local Shops Back Independent Grocery Ombudsman

Thu, 04 Mar 2010

ACS has written to MPs urging them to back legislation to bring into force a Grocery Ombudsman that will be debated in Parliament on Friday.

Forecourt Seminar

Tue, 06 Jul 2010

ACS have put together a day long, conference-style seminar specifically aimed at tackling issues related to forecourt retailing. We will be bringing together experts from within and outside of the industry, covering subjects such as forecourt licensing; consumer trends; best practise in ‘green’ retailing; news and magazines on the forecourt; and the future of the tobacco category.

The seminar will take place at the Madjeski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire on Thursday 2nd July 2009.

To book your place or to find out more contact ACS on 01252 515001 or email sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk.

ACS Welcomes Ministerial Concessions on Tobacco Display Ban Rules

Fri, 26 Feb 2010

ACS has welcomed Ministerial concessions regarding the rules that will be in place when a tobacco display ban comes into force for local shops in 2013

Chancellor Must Support Local Shops in Budget

Tue, 09 Mar 2010

Alasdair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is expected to deliver the last Budget of this Parliament later this month. Local shops have called on the Chancellor to support them to continue to serve their community and contribute to the economy.

Retailers Win Music Licensing Battle; �20 Million in Fees to be Repaid

Fri, 12 Feb 2010

A consortium of businesses including ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) today has claimed a victory for shops today after an appeal from the music licensing body PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) was rejected by the high court.

Crime Figures Reveal Shocking Rise in Burglary Costs

Wed, 17 Feb 2010

New crime statistics gathered by ACS have shown an alarming rise in the number of robberies and burglaries over the last twelve months.

Conservatives' Commitment to Reinstate Planning Need Test Welcomed

Tue, 23 Feb 2010

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the commitment in the Conservative Planning Green Paper to reinstate the ?need test? and tighten up restrictions on harmful out of town retail development.

ACS Responds to Post Office Banking consultation

Fri, 19 Feb 2010

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted a response to the Government?s consultation on Post Office Banking. The consultation seeks views on whether the Post Office should expand the range of banking services it offers.

ACS Warns Against Weakened Ombudsman

Fri, 05 Feb 2010

ACS has warned of the risks of weakening the powers and independence of the proposed Grocery Ombudsman, and has urged Ministers to implement faithfully the original recommendations of the Competition Commission.

Crime Prevention Forum

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

ACS are pleased to announce the first Crime Prevention Forum of 2010 will take place on Tuesday 9th February in Manchester

As with all ACS Forums we have a mixture of speakers from both inside and outside the industry; retailer presentations and supplier presentations.

Presenters for the Crime Prevention forum include:
• Magistrates Association - who will be discussing their work and the review into out of court penalties.
• Home Office - on their work on Commercial Victimisation
• Business Crime Reduction Partnership – on the joined up approach to tackling crime in Manchester city centre
• Greater Manchester Police – on how the police deal with business crime
• Total – on the work they do to tackle crime on their forecourts.

More speakers will be confirmed in the New Year.

US Study Tour

Tue, 20 Oct 2009

ACS Study Tour to USA
20th– 24th October 2009

ACS’ four night tour of Las Vegas includes store visits to leading US retail outlets. Delegates will be able to attend the NACS International Forum, as well as visit the NACS show.

Responsible Retailing Forum

Wed, 10 Mar 2010

The c-store sector faces constant challenges in the area of retailing responsibly.

Members can expect to receive advice on issues affecting the sector, including regular updates from the Portman Group, local authorities and licensing experts.

The ACS Public Affairs team will also keep members up-to-date on political issues and likely legislation.

Heart of the Community Seminar

Tue, 03 Nov 2009

The Heart of the Community seminar is the flagship event for ACS Local Shop Campaigners (LSCs). The seminar aims to provide owners of convenience stores the opportunity to get face-to-face with politicians to highlight the concerns and issues affecting the convenience sector.

The second annual Heart of the Community Seminar takes place on Tuesday 3rd November at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Confirmed key note speakers include Labour MP Rosie Winterton, Minister of State for Local Government, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination, and Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber; Shadow Minister for Business, Mark Prisk; Liberal Democrat Vice Treasurer, Jeremy Browne and roundtable MPs Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government and Liberal Democrat Whip, Dan Rogerson; Conservative shoplifting campaigner, Anne McIntosh; and Labour MP John Grogan.

Retailers can choose to attend a maximum of three workshops from the list below – please choose one from each column and state these when booking:

A. Preventing Underage Sales and Community Alcohol Partnerships led by ACS Public Affairs Executive Jenny Brown.
B. Tackling Crime led by Andy Pope, Co-operative National Business Crime Partnership Manager currently seconded to the Home Office.
C. Using the Sustainable Communities Act led by Steve Shaw from the Local Works Coalition, the organisation that set up the Act.
D. Lobbying your MP led by ACS Public Affairs Director Shane Brennan.
E. Working with the local media, Skills training led by Trevor Barnes.
F. Appealing against local planning applications led by Judith Whateley and Gay Brown from Tescopoly.

2 - 3pm 3 – 4pm 4 – 5pm
A                E             C
B                F             D
C               A              E
D               B              F

This event is unique to the convenience industry and gives retailers a rare chance to get face-to-face with Ministers and MPs. It is a must attend event for all politically minded retailers. To book your free place at this event please contact Helen Davies on 01252 515001.

If you would like to attend please contact Sarah C Johnson on 01252 515001, or email sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk.

Summit 10

Wed, 05 May 2010

Summit is ACS’ flagship event and the biggest and best event of its kind in the convenience sector.
In 2009 Summit attracted over 400 delegates representing retailers and suppliers from across the industry and we expect even greater numbers this year. High calibre keynote speakers including; Tim Smit from the Eden Project, Tim Hurrell from The Cooperative Group and Neil McCormick from News Plus Group; will present on the key themes of the Vision, Creativity, Risk and Determination, backed up with the voice of the independent retailer in the form of video case studies, featuring Independent Retailers Kishor Patel, Paul Cheema, Dee Patel, David Sands, Conrad Davies, and Mike Duffy. Chair for the day will be Angela Rippon.