We’re counting down to this year’s Heart of the Community Conference and Local Shop Report launch, taking place on the 2nd September in the House of Commons Attlee Suite and Terrace Pavilion.
Heart of the Community is our biggest political event of the year, highlighting the issues affecting local shops right now, the regulations coming down the track, and celebrating the best of community retailing. This year’s event will also feature the launch of the 2025 Local Shop Report, setting out the ways that our sector makes a difference to communities across the UK through investment, local employment and a diverse range of products and services.
Discussing the findings of the Local Shop Report this year will be an expert panel of award winning retailers, chaired by ACS Communications Director Chris Noice:
- Simon Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer at Southern Co-op
- Victoria Lockie, Head of Wholesale – Strategic Projects and Acquisitions, Morrisons
- Jack Matthews, Bradleys Supermarket (Nisa)
The panel will be followed by an exclusive address from the New Statement’s Rachel Cunliffe on how the new Government has been performing this year, with speeches delivering political insights from High Streets Minister Alex Norris MP and Shadow Local Government Secretary Kevin Hollinrake MP.
Following the conference, we will be moving to the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion for an exclusive parliamentary drinks reception, where Minister for Small Businesses Gareth Thomas MP will be presenting the Raj Aggarwal Trophy for outstanding community retailing. This year’s finalists are:
- Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience
- Nathalie Fullerton, One Stop Dumbarton Road
- Chloe Taylor-Green, Taylor-Green’s Spar
Voting is open now for you to decide the winner of this year’s Trophy, vote for your favourite now!
There are very limited spaces still available for this year’s event, so secure your spot today!
