News

ACS has welcomed new research from Southampton University, outlining the crucial role that convenience stores are playing in the nation’s recovery.

The report suggests that despite pressure from out of town retailers and online shopping, many high streets are succeeding as convenience stores adapt their ranges and offer more services to busy consumers.

ACS has responded to a call by 20 councils for powers to impose a new levy on supermarkets. Councils have made this bid for new powers using the procedures laid down in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. Under the Act Councils can submit requests for changes in national legislation or taxation to the Government, which is legally required to consider the request, although not to agree to it. A similar request made in 2013 was rejected by Ministers.

The Regulatory Policy Committee has published their Opinion on the Impact Assessment for the introduction of plain packaging in the UK, raising a number of concerns about the Department of Health’s analysis of the impact on businesses. In the document, released today, the RPC has called on the Department of Health to look at the following areas with regard to impact on businesses:

Simon Danczuk, Rochdale MP, will take on the Chairmanship of the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group following Priti Patel MP’s promotion in the Government reshuffle to Exchequer Secretary. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “We are pleased that Simon is taking on the Chairmanship of the Small Shops Group. Simon already has an exemplary record campaigning on small shop issues such as business rates and planning policy. We would look forward to working with Simon over the coming months to get local shops’ voices heard in Parliament.”

Minister of State for Justice, Rt Hon Lord Faulks, has agreed to a meeting to discuss the protection of workers who sell alcohol as part of a debate in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.

The debate, which took place last night (21st July), concerned an amendment that would have given extra legal protection to staff who are assaulted whilst selling alcohol by creating a separate summary offence on a worker enforcing the provision of the Licensing Act for the sale of alcohol.

Convenience Store magazine is looking for the sales assistant of the year 2014.

The overall winner will be crowned at a spectacular lunch at The Dorchester on Tuesday 11 November and claim a £1,000 prize.

As an added incentive, the store manager who enters the overall Sales Assistant of the Year 2014 will also pick up a £250 prize.

This week I gave evidence to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee. You can see for yourself what I said here, but in summary, I explained our research into the application of the town centre first planning policy, which has actually allowed three-quarters of new retail investment to take place out of town.

At the Cross Party Group on Small Shops Annual Reception, ACS addressed a packed house of AMs and retailers from across England and Wales to talk about the important contribution that Welsh retailers make to the UK convenience sector.

ACS has told an influential group of MPs that high streets continue to suffer from the unrelenting stream of out of town developments.

In an evidence session on the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman told the Communities and Local Government Select Committee of the failure of the Government’s ‘town centre first’ policy and the need for change to support high streets.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman has appeared before the Communities and Local Government Select Committee today on the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework and its impact on town centre investment.

During the session, Mr Lowman presented the findings of an independent review of the planning system which showed that 76% of the new retail floor space given planning approval since the new laws came into place in March 2012 have been located out of town.