News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed plans set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland to introduce a Non-Domestic Rates Bill to implement recommendations from the Barclay Review.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament today to announce the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland, setting out the legislative priorities for the Scottish Government in 2018/19.

We are just one week away from the 2018 Local Shop Report Launch, taking place on 11th September at the National Space Centre in Leicester. ACS’ flagship report will provide a detailed look at the convenience sector and the innovative services and features offered by stores to their local communities. 

ACS has welcomed comments from Prime Minister Theresa May indicating that the government plans to extend compulsory plastic bag charging to small stores. 

Under the current regulations, a 5p charge is levied on all single use plastic bags by businesses that have more than 250 employees in England. However, all businesses in Wales and Scotland are required to charge. 

In response to the government’s comments about the future of the plastic bag policy, ACS has also urged careful consultation on any increases to the amount levied on each single use bag. 

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation on proposals to end the sale of energy drinks to children.

The consultation proposes that a ban would apply to drinks (excluding tea and coffee) that contain more than 150mg of caffeine. Under existing labelling rules, drinks that fall into this category require a warning label saying: ‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.’

The Scottish Government has published details of amended regulations on personal licence fees, pressing ahead with plans to introduce a £50 renewal fee despite concerns raised by a wide range of business groups including ACS.

We are just 2 weeks away from the 2018 Local Shop Report Launch, taking place on 11th September at the National Space Centre in Leicester. ACS’ flagship report will provide a detailed look at the convenience sector and the innovative services and features offered by stores to their local communities. 

ACS has welcomed comments from Prime Minister Theresa May indicating that the government plans to extend compulsory plastic bag charging to small stores. 

Under the current regulations, a 5p charge is levied on all single use plastic bags by businesses that have more than 250 employees in England. However, all businesses in Wales and Scotland are required to charge. 

In response to the government’s comments about the future of the plastic bag policy, ACS has also urged careful consultation on any increases to the amount levied on each single use bag. 

Tickets are available for this year’s Local Shop Report launch, taking place on 11th September at the National Space Centre in Leicester. ACS’ flagship report will provide a detailed look at the convenience sector and the innovative services and features offered by stores to their local communities. 

Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP is confirmed to speak at the Parliamentary Reception following the ACS Heart of Community Conference on Tuesday 16th October in the heart of Westminster, 1 Birdcage Walk. She will be speaking to retailers directly about the government’s plans to support local shops.

The conference will bring together retailers from across the country to address the policy issues that really matter for the sector, focusing on tackling retail crime, acting on the environment and the future of work in the sector.

The continuing struggles of some of the UK’s most well-known high street businesses (House of Fraser being the most recent of these to hit the headlines) has led many to once again point the finger at the business rates system as a major contributor to the decline of bricks and mortar stores.