News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Welsh Government, which has confirmed an extension to the high street rates relief scheme for 2019-20.

Eligible businesses will receive up to £2,500 off their business rates bills, with properties with a rateable value up to £9,100 paying no rates at all. The Welsh Government estimates that 15,000 retailers in Wales with a rateable value of up to £50,000 will benefit from the scheme.

ACS is calling on retailers to share their experiences of retail crime over the last 12 months as part of the annual ACS Crime Survey 2019.

The survey looks at the impact that crime is having on retailers’ businesses, including the number of incidents they have experienced and how much crime has cost their business in the last 12 months. The survey also considers the causes of these crimes and the measures retailers have in place to prevent crime in their stores.

Ged Killen MP has led a Westminster Hall debate on the effect of ATM closures on towns, high streets and rural communities, emphasising the importance of ATM coverage in rural areas particularly following bank branch closures.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate, Labour MP Ged Killen mentioned concerns raised by ACS about the effect that ATM closures have had on convenience stores, noting that ATM closures have occurred at a faster rate than LINK anticipated.

In the lead up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, ACS is urging retailers to ensure that they are aware of products that have age restrictions on them.

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has published the findings of its inquiry into the sale of energy drinks, concluding that there is insufficient evidence for a blanket age restriction on the products.

ACS has welcomed the publication of new guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the details of how business rates discounts first announced in this year’s Budget will be allocated.

During the Budget on October 29^th, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that businesses with a rateable value of under £51,000 would receive a 1/3 discount on their rates bills.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is supporting the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) which takes place today (December 3^rd).

IDPD aims to raise awareness about the barriers that people living with disabilities face and this year’s theme is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.

ACS is encouraging convenience store retailers to get involved with Small Business Saturday 2018, taking place this Saturday (December 1st)

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots campaign which actively encourages shoppers to ‘shop local’ and support the small businesses in their local communities. The campaign is now in its sixth year and aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.

Last year’s campaign was the most successful yet, and highlights included:

ACS is calling on retailers to share their experiences of retail crime over the last 12 months as part of the annual ACS Crime Survey 2019.

The survey looks at the impact that crime is having on retailers’ businesses, including the number of incidents they have experienced and how much crime has cost their business in the last 12 months. The survey also considers the causes of these crimes and the measures retailers have in place to prevent crime in their stores.

Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins has agreed to meet with retail representative bodies and trade unions to discuss violence against retailers and shopworkers following amendments tabled to the Offence Weapons Bill by David Hanson MP.