News

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.

ACS is urging retailers to write to their Police and Crime Commissioners, highlighting the problems that crime cause in their store and calling on them to pledge to ensure that police forces take shop theft and abuse of staff seriously.

The pledges that PCCs are being asked to sign up to include: 

ACS has welcomed comments from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable MP on the need to reform the business rates system.

Speaking ahead of the launch of a report on the future of business rates later this month, Sir Vince Cable MP outlined his support for a commercial landowner levy instead of the current system of business rates.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to enter their local area into the Great British High Street Awards (GBHS) 2018. Run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, the awards recognise and celebrate the local achievements of the nation’s high streets.

ACS has welcomed a new report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee on e-cigarettes, which urges the Government to maintain a separate approach to taxation for e-cigarettes and tobacco products due to the significantly lower risk that e-cigarettes pose to health.

The report claims that while e-cigarettes are estimated as being 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes, they are often overlooked by the NHS as a tool to help people stop smoking.

Recommendations from the Science and Technology Committee report include: