ACS has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that it will seek to work towards a UK-wide deposit return system in Wales. ACS is calling for detailed consideration of the role that retailers can play in such a scheme, including the challenges and burdens that may arise from it.
Other
ACS Responds to Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry on the ATM Network
ACS has submitted a joint response with SGF to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry on the ATM network, raising concerns about the impact that the removal of ATMs could have on local consumers, especially those in rural areas.
The Inquiry was launched as a result of a decision by LINK to reduce ATM interchange fees paid by banks to ATM operators and retailers by 20% over a four year period starting from July. The Inquiry is considering the impact of this decision on Scottish businesses, consumers and high streets.
Cross Party Group on Small Shops Holds Second Evidence Session in Supporting Entrepreneurs Inquiry
The Supporting Entrepreneurship Inquiry held its second evidence session in the National Assembly for Wales on 7th March, taking evidence directly from a range of Welsh Entrepreneurs and business organisations.
Retail Sector Council Launched
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a new Retail Sector Council to address challenges faced by the retail industry. The group, made up of senior leaders from the industry, will be co-chaired by retail minister Andrew Griffiths MP and Richard Pennycook, chair of Fenwick and the British Retail Consortium, and former CEO at the Co-op.
Treasury Minister Holds LINK to Account on ATM Interchange Fee Cut
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed comments from the Exchequer Secretary, who said that the Government would hold LINK to account on their commitment to do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect the broad geographic spread of ATMs.
ACS Welcomes Action on Plastic Waste
ACS has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Government’s long-term plan to protect the environment, including measures to reduce plastic packaging, with specific proposals to extend the 5p charge on single use plastic bags to all retailers in England.
In the announcements made today, the government state that they “want to extend the scheme so that small retailers also charge for bags. We’ll first be looking at voluntary agreements with the industry to achieve this, before we consider making this compulsory.”
ACS Welcomes Action on Plastic Waste
ACS has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Government’s long-term plan to protect the environment, including measures to reduce plastic packaging, with specific proposals to extend the 5p charge on single use plastic bags to all retailers in England.
In the announcements made today, the government state that they “want to extend the scheme so that small retailers also charge for bags. We’ll first be looking at voluntary agreements with the industry to achieve this, before we consider making this compulsory.”
Local Shops Welcome Government Commitment on High Speed Broadband
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which will ensure that everyone in the UK will be able to request high speed broadband by 2020.
In the 2017 Rural Shop Report, ACS highlighted the problems that retailers – especially the 19,000 convenience stores in rural areas - face when trying to invest in their business with substandard broadband speeds and called for the Government to deliver the Universal Service Obligation at a minimum spend of 10mbps.
Welsh Government Announces Permanent Small Business Rate Relief Scheme from April 2018
ACS has welcomed the announcement of a permanent small business rate relief scheme and the extension of extra support for high street retailers in Wales, but has raised concerns about the limits being imposed on the type of business that will be eligible for relief under the new system.
Welsh Government Announces Permanent Small Business Rate Relief Scheme from April 2018
ACS has welcomed the announcement of a permanent small business rate relief scheme and the extension of extra support for high street retailers in Wales, but has raised concerns about the limits being imposed on the type of business that will be eligible for relief under the new system.
