News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the House of Lords Licensing Act Committee, urging the Committee to retain the current Licensing Act objectives and look at ways to reduce the regulatory burdens on retailers brought on by the Act.

In the submission, ACS outlines a number of ways in which the Licensing Act could be improved for licensees, including:

The Government has published its Childhood Obesity strategy, confirming plans for a levy on soft drinks manufacturers that produce high sugar products in addition to a range of other measures.

The measures announced today include:

ACS is encouraging retailers across the country to enter their villages, towns and cities into the Great British High streets competition 2016. Now in its 3rd year, the competition celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets and is an opportunity for councils, businesses, community groups and volunteers to learn from the very best.

All retailers that handle cash must prepare their business ahead of the introduction of the new £5 polymer note, which will enter circulation on 13 September 2016. The new bank note will be printed on polymer, which is a thin flexible plastic material. Polymer notes last longer, stay cleaner and are harder to counterfeit than paper notes.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Low Pay Commission’s consultation on the future rates of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, calling on the Commission to take into consideration the impact of wage hikes on local shops.

In the submission, ACS raises concerns about the target that the Low Pay Commission was set by the former Chancellor George Osborne of raising the National Living Wage to 60% of median earnings by 2020, calling for the Commission to have its independence in considering future wage rates reinstated.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the independent review of the Access to Banking Protocol, which details how banks should ensure sufficient access to banking services following the closure of branches. This year-on review of the Protocol will consider the way banks have applied it in practice, and the extent to which pre-closure assessment, community engagement and local impact assessments have informed the identification of suitable alternative ways to bank.

Tickets are now available for the 2016 Local Shop Report launch, taking place on 7^th September at Hotel Football in Manchester. The Local Shop Report is ACS’ flagship research project, bringing together information from trusted sources in the convenience sector with brand new information about the people running stores.

The following information features in ACS’ Assured Advice guide on managing food safety and hygiene. More information about Assured Advice and how to sign up to the scheme is available in the Advice section of the ACS website.

Retailers who provide a food to go service for customers must protect those customers that suffer from allergic reactions to food. There are 14 allergens covered by the law – they are:

Video analytics solutions provider VCA Technology has reinforced its commitment to convenience retailing in the UK, by becoming a Club member of the Association of Convenience Stores.

The move follows the company’s recent appointment of Andy Frost as Retail Sales Manager - Europe

The Department for Communities and Local Government have published their response to a consultation on reforming the business rates system, making recommendations for a more transparent, streamlined appeals process.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are pleased that the Government have listened to our concerns about delivering a more transparent rating system in order to resolve retailers’ rating appeals as early as possible.  We welcome that Government has also dedicated resource to support the smallest businesses get fast tracked through the rating system.”