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Convenience Store magazine is looking for the sales assistant of the year 2014.

The overall winner will be crowned at a spectacular lunch at The Dorchester on Tuesday 11 November and claim a £1,000 prize.

As an added incentive, the store manager who enters the overall Sales Assistant of the Year 2014 will also pick up a £250 prize.

This week I gave evidence to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee. You can see for yourself what I said here, but in summary, I explained our research into the application of the town centre first planning policy, which has actually allowed three-quarters of new retail investment to take place out of town.

At the Cross Party Group on Small Shops Annual Reception, ACS addressed a packed house of AMs and retailers from across England and Wales to talk about the important contribution that Welsh retailers make to the UK convenience sector.

ACS has told an influential group of MPs that high streets continue to suffer from the unrelenting stream of out of town developments.

In an evidence session on the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman told the Communities and Local Government Select Committee of the failure of the Government’s ‘town centre first’ policy and the need for change to support high streets.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman has appeared before the Communities and Local Government Select Committee today on the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework and its impact on town centre investment.

During the session, Mr Lowman presented the findings of an independent review of the planning system which showed that 76% of the new retail floor space given planning approval since the new laws came into place in March 2012 have been located out of town.

The Scottish Grocers Federation and ACS have welcomed the call by Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay that urges all public bodies in Scotland to make a commitment to “town centre first” for all their new investment decisions.

Under the principle, public bodies such as councils, the police and the NHS – will be encouraged to invest in such areas, and weigh up the financial pressure of closing down town centre facilities against the benefits of maintaining vibrant, healthy high streets.

Ministers have welcomed a package of measures announced by the alcohol industry targeted at tackling irresponsible drinking. The package includes a series of measures that are being taken forward by different companies and organisations across the industry:

The Low Pay Commission has issued their annual call for evidence on the National Minimum Wage rate for 2015. ACS will be responding to the consultation and supporting the Commission’s regional visits.

At the annual Forecourt Seminar, ACS has welcomed a record attendance of retailers and suppliers to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry to hear about the latest trends and innovations in the forecourt sector.

The event, chaired by Professor Mark Selby, features award winning retailer David Charman, Symonds Managing Director Nick Lloyd, Certas Energy's Ramsay McDonald and many others sharing their views about the future of the sector and the challenges facing forecourt retailers today.

ACS is calling on the brightest up and coming stars in the retail sector to take part in this year's Achievement Award to win a place on ACS' Barcelona Study Tour.

Since its launch, the Achievement Award has sought out the most promising people in the industry on both the supply and retail sides of the sector.