Press Releases

ACS Calls for Urgent Rethink on Alcohol Licence Fee Proposals

ACS has today responded to the Government’s consultation on locally set licence fees, calling for an urgent rethink of the proposals which would allow Councils to set their own fees.

The consultation proposes options including:

  • allowing local authorities to set their own fees
  • changing the balance of revenue received by local authorities by:

increasing fees for processing new licences or changing existing licences; and

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Sentencing Council Recognises Victims of Shop Theft

ACS has welcomed the Sentencing Council’s Consultation on sentencing for Shop Theft offences and the retention of short custodial sentences.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “Shop theft is one of the biggest operational challenges local shops face, with 70% of retailers having experienced shop theft in the last year. This is not a victimless crime, it has very serious implications for shop staff and a cumulative cost impact on the business.

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ACS Calls for Urgent Business Impact Assessment on Tobacco Plain Packs

ACS is calling on Government to undertake an urgent full assessment of wider impact of standardised packaging on businesses, following the statement by Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison, that they are publishing regulations to introduce plain packaging in the UK.

ACS has already written to the Department for Business highlighting the impact in terms of costs and operational burdens, and the threat that the policy will encourage more customers to engage with the illicit trade. A copy of the letter is available here.

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ACS Sets Out Opposition to Plans for Fee Paying Tobacco Register in Wales

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has made clear its intention to resist plans to impose a costly and unnecessary tobacco registration system in Wales. 

The proposal is to require all retailers selling tobacco in Wales to pay a £30 fee to register with their local authority and then pay a £20 re-registration fee every three years.

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Energy Market Review 'Long Overdue'

 ACS has welcomed a proposed investigation into the energy market, calling for action to make the market fairer and more competitive for local shops.

The announcement made today by energy regulator Ofgem is to recommend an investigation of the market by the Competition Markets Authority. Ofgem notes that profit increases and price rises have ‘intensified distrust’ of suppliers, and that an investigation is needed to consider whether the current state of the energy market acts as a barrier to competition.

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ACS Welcomes Home Office Decision on Personal Alcohol Licences

ACS has welcomed the Home Office's decision not to abolish personal alcohol licences.

In its response to the consultation, the Home Office noted that it has “listened to the views received in response to the consultation and in discussion with partners has decided not to proceed with the proposal to abolish the system of personal licences.”

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Budget 2014: ACS Welcomes Alcohol Duty Reductions

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Chancellor’s Budget, welcoming changes to alcohol duty rates.

Alcohol Duty: Government has announced the scrapping of the alcohol duty escalator; a freeze on duty for ordinary cider and spirits; and a cut of 1p per pint in beer duty.

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Business Secretary Confirms Minimum Wage Increase

Local shops have expressed their disappointment as the Government confirms the 3% increase in the adult National Minimum Wage to £6.50 recommended by the Low Pay Commission. ACS’ (the Association of Convenience Stores) evidence has shown that an above inflation increase of 3% is likely to have a negative impact on staffing and investment levels in the convenience sector.

In a speech this morning, Business Secretary Vince Cable confirmed that the Government had accepted all of the Low Pay Commission's recommendations.

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Retailer Optimism Up Despite Tough Sales

Independent retailers are positive about their prospects on 2014, with the latest ACS Optimism Index showing it's third consecutive quarter of improvement. However, the Index is part of a mixed set of results from the ACS Voice of Local Shops survey, conducted with over a thousand retailers in February 2014.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The third successive rise in the Optimism Index is an encouraging sign for the sector, and is backed up by improving wider economic indicators and the perception that convenience retailing is a growth market.

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