ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the chancellor to support the growth of convenience stores by taking action on employment, rates reform and duty fraud ahead of the summer 2015 Budget.

In its submission to government ahead of the first Budget after the 2015 General Election, ACS has called for government to ensure that the Low Pay Commission remains an independent body and is not influenced by central government targets.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, and the Minister responsible for business rates addressed the All Party Small Shops Group today in Westminster to discuss business rates in light of the Chancellor’s announcements in last week’s Autumn Financial Statement.

Local shops have welcomed the announcement from the Competition Markets Authority to conduct a full market investigation into lending to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) market.  The investigation will look specifically at lending to SMEs and core products such as business current accounts.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We welcome the CMA decision to investigate SME lending. Access to finance and fair bank charges are key to ensuring that local shops can grow and create more jobs in their communities.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has confirmed the appointment of Paul Hagon and Patrick Sewell as chairman and deputy chairman respectively.

Paul and Patrick will take on leadership roles on the ACS Management Board from 1 November 2014, replacing current chairman Jonathan James and Vice Chairman Neil Turton who have been in post since November 2011.

Paul Hagon is the Group Strategy and Development Director for Palmer and Harvey. P&H is one of the biggest delivered wholesale providers in the UK, serving multiple, convenience, forecourt and CTN stores.

ACS has welcomed the proposed consolidation of minimum wage regulations as an important step in ensuring that retailers understand how the laws on the national minimum wage affect their business.