ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Prime Minister’s Conservative Party Conference speech, highlighting the convenience sector’s strong record on age restricted sales. 

In his speech to CPC in Manchester today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced future Government plans to change the law on the sale of tobacco so that the age of sale rises by one year, every year. Similar policies are already in place in New Zealand. The Prime Minister stated that the vote will be a free vote and not one that is subject to a government whip. 

Book your place at the launch of our 2023 Forecourt Report, taking place online on 12th October at 10am - 12pm.

The virtual launch event will provide you with a first look at the findings of the report and give you the opportunity to be a part of the discussion as we explore in detail how forecourt retailing looks now and how it might evolve in the future.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

The Association of Convenience Stores has announced the appointment of Ramesh Shingadia as the new Chair of the ACS board, with Phil Ponsonby (Midcounties Co-operative), Colm Johnson (Booker) and Maria Eaton (MFG) also taking leadership roles on the board.

The Welsh Government has confirmed that the upcoming ban on single-use plastics will now go live on 30th October 2023.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to take action to properly address the rise in vacant properties on high streets and in local communities.

During the Spring Budget 2023, a consultation was launched to look into the scale of avoidance, evasion and poor rating agent behaviour in the business rates system, and potential methods to tackle it.