Taking place virtually on 25th May, 2 - 4pm, ACS’ Responsible Retailing Forum will explore two big strategic policy issues:

• new regulations on high fat, salt sugar products
• the introduction of new environmental regulations such as deposit return schemes and extended producer responsibility

The Forum will be chaired by ACS chief executive James Lowman and split into two main sessions:

Environment

ACS has welcomed the long-awaited extension of plastic bag charging to all businesses from 21 May, which will provide consistency for consumers and further opportunity for retailers to raise money for good causes.

From 21^st May in England, the minimum charge for plastic bags will increase from 5p to 10p per bag, and will be applicable to all businesses regardless of size. The plastic bag charge is already applicable to all businesses in Scotland and Wales.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is pleased to announce that the Raj Aggarwal Trophy will be launched on Thursday 6^th May.

Applications are welcome from any convenience store operator, independent retailers and managers of multiple-owned outlets.

To enter, applicants must submit a short film (maximum of 5 minutes), which will show:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on retailers to respond to its annual National Living Wage Survey.

ACS’ National Living Wage Survey will inform ACS’ submission to the Low Pay Commission’s consultation on future wage rates. The consultation is seeking views on:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) call for evidence on commercial rents and Covid-19, urging the Government to support businesses in their recovery from the pandemic.

From today (3rd May) HMRC will be introducing new checks on the codes that are given to businesses to ensure that they are registered properly for the UK track and trace system.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding convenience retailers about the upcoming changes to the sale of manufactured solid fuels and wood.

From 1st May 2021, retail businesses in England including convenience stores, supermarkets and forecourts must not sell traditional house coal (bituminous coal).

Permitted manufactured solid fuels and wood also can only be sold as follows:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry on the Government’s approach to permitted development rights (PDR), highlighting the need for the Government to protect the integrity of local high streets and access to essential services.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed all current and prospective combined authority mayoral candidates ahead of the elections taking place on 6^th May.

In the briefing, ACS provided candidates with convenience sector data specific to their combined authority, including information on: the number of local shops, number of jobs and investment made by convenience retailers over the last year.

DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have confirmed that changes to plastic bag charge regulations will now not come into force on 30^th April.

Changes to the single use carrier bag charge rules will see the minimum charge for a plastic bag rise from 5p to 10p, and all businesses included within the rules, where previously only those with more than 250 employees have been included.