News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to ensure that councils have full discretion over the business rates relief fund announced at the Budget, and that decisions about the eligibility of retailers are made quickly to support those facing the biggest increases.

The Association of Convenience Stores has responded to the publication of a House of Lords Committee Review into the Licensing Act, raising concerns about recommendations made on alcohol promotions and licensing fees.

The 168 page review recommends further restrictions on alcohol promotions (which are already in place in Scotland), whilst also recommending giving power to local authorities to increase licensing fees in their area, resulting in additional costs for local shops, pubs, and restaurants.

The Low Pay Commission have published their assessment of the impact of the National Living Wage on businesses over the last year, noting that smaller businesses have been more heavily affected than their larger counterparts.

The report shows that both the number of people and the number of hours worked have fallen over the last year in the smallest businesses. Regionally, overall employment has also fallen over the last year in the North East, North West, the East of England and Scotland.

Trade associations representing convenience stores across England, Wales and Scotland have reiterated their position on plans for a bottle return scheme, outlining the problems that the scheme would cause for retailers. The Association of Convenience Stores and the Scottish Grocers Federation have written to the Scottish government, highlighting the following concerns about deposit return schemes (DRS):

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to clarify its position on business rates appeals in response to the publication on a consultation response on business rate reforms.

ACS has responded to the Chancellor's Spring Budget, welcoming a £300m discretionary rate relief scheme, but raising concerns over a minimum excise tax on tobacco, the costs for small businesses of introducing new tax reporting processes, and new tax rules for dividends paid to owner-directors.

In recent weeks, the Chancellor has come under fire from all sides over the impact of the business rates revaluation, with many claiming that the impact on their businesses could be catastrophic. In the convenience sector, as with many others, the reality is that there will be both winners and losers when the new rates take effect in April.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to ensure that their stores are ready for the introduction of the new £1 coin next month.

ACS took part in a roundtable meeting this morning (28 February) with Treasury Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe to report on the levels of readiness in the convenience sector.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed peers ahead of a debate in the House of Lords on a new Bill which would require local authorities to consult with community stakeholders before putting up parking charges in their area.

A group of organisations representing over 100,000 businesses has written to all MPs expressing concern about the impact that changes to business rates will have on their members in April.

The letter highlights the issues that thousands of businesses are facing as a result of the revaluation, with many due to receive significant increases in their rates bills.

The group is calling for action in the following areas: