October 2021

Oct 29

Local Shops Pledge Support for Women’s Night Safety Charter

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has signed up to the Women’s Safety Night Charter, reflecting local shops’ commitment to ensuring the safety of people entering their stores.

The Night Charter has been created by the London Assembly and Mayor of London in an effort to help women feel welcome and confident in their local areas at night. It is part of the Mayor’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and London’s commitment to the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces global initiative.

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Oct 27

Local Shops Welcome Investment Incentives; Call for Action to Promote Secure Jobs

The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the Chancellor’s action to support businesses through green investment incentives.  

In his Budget speech to Parliament today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announced that green investments such as solar panels and heat pumps would be exempt from business rates. Additionally, investment in improvements to businesses will not be subject to business rates for 12 months after that investment is made. Subject to confirming eligibility, local shops will also benefit from a 50% reduction in their rates bills for 2022/23. 

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Oct 26

Local Shops Call for Investment Boost Ahead of 2021 Budget

In its’ submission to the Autumn Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Government to introduce tax reform measures that will help convenience retailers invest in the future of their business, including the extension of 100% business rate relief to all businesses with a rateable value of under £51,000.

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Oct 22

UK Forecourt Sector Provides Over 88,000 Local, Secure Jobs

The 2021 Forecourt Report has highlighted the vital role that the UK’s 7,395 forecourt shops play in their local communities, providing over 88,000 secure local jobs, providing access to essential services and taking time out of the business to support local projects.

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Oct 19

Julie Kaur Duhra Wins First Ever Raj Aggarwal Award!

ACS is delighted to announce Julie Kaur Duhra as the first winner of the Raj Aggarwal Award, a new trophy celebrating exceptional community retailing.

Julie was announced as the winner after a panel on exceptional community retailing at ACS’ Heart of the Community conference. Julie runs a convenience store just north of Telford in Shropshire with her husband Joey. Julie has played a vital role in her local area, providing home deliveries to customers, leading local fundraising efforts and supporting other retailers.

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Oct 15

ACS: Contactless Payment Limit Rises to £100 from Today

From today (15th October) the contactless payment limit in shops is increasing from £45 to £100 with the aim to make in store purchases more convenient.

Contactless payments allow shoppers to pay for goods or services by tapping their debit or credit card onto a card terminal without having to input their PIN.

The contactless limit increased from £30 to £45 in April last year as part of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

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Oct 11

ACS: Guidance for Local Shops on Fireworks and Seasonal Products

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding convenience retailers to ensure that they are aware of the rules and guidelines that apply to the sale and storage of fireworks.

Retailers must apply for permission to store fireworks from their local trading standards service or fire authority. If permission to store fireworks is granted, then fireworks can be sold within the following dates:

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Oct 07

ACS Announces the Finalists of the Raj Aggarwal Award!

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has announced the finalists of the Raj Aggarwal Award, a new trophy marking the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal.

The trophy will be awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The finalists are:

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