Press Releases
ACS: Government Must Support Local Shops in Covid-19 Recovery
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) call for evidence on commercial rents and Covid-19, urging the Government to support businesses in their recovery from the pandemic.
Read MoreACS: HMRC Introduces New Checks for Tobacco Track and Trace Codes
From today (3rd May) HMRC will be introducing new checks on the codes that are given to businesses to ensure that they are registered properly for the UK track and trace system.
Read MoreACS: Changes to the Sale of Domestic Solid Fuels Comes Into Force From 1st May
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding convenience retailers about the upcoming changes to the sale of manufactured solid fuels and wood.
From 1st May 2021, retail businesses in England including convenience stores, supermarkets and forecourts must not sell traditional house coal (bituminous coal).
Permitted manufactured solid fuels and wood also can only be sold as follows:
Read MoreACS: Planning System Must Protect Local High Streets and Communities
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry on the Government’s approach to permitted development rights (PDR), highlighting the need for the Government to protect the integrity of local high streets and access to essential services.
Read MoreACS Highlights Vital Role of Local Shops to Mayoral Candidates Ahead of Upcoming Elections
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed all current and prospective combined authority mayoral candidates ahead of the elections taking place on 6th May.
In the briefing, ACS provided candidates with convenience sector data specific to their combined authority, including information on: the number of local shops, number of jobs and investment made by convenience retailers over the last year.
Read MoreIntroduction of Plastic Bag Charge in Small Shops Delayed
DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) have confirmed that changes to plastic bag charge regulations will now not come into force on 30th April.
Changes to the single use carrier bag charge rules will see the minimum charge for a plastic bag rise from 5p to 10p, and all businesses included within the rules, where previously only those with more than 250 employees have been included.
Read MoreACS: Government Supports Amendment to Introduce Cashback Without Purchase
The Government has agreed an amendment to the Financial Services Bill which will enable shops to offer cashback to customers without making a purchase.
The amendment to the House of Lords Financial Services Bill, tabled by Conservative Peer Lord Holmes of Richmond, will remove an existing requirement for retailers to register with the Financial Conduct Authority to offer cashback without an in-store purchase within the same transaction.
Read MoreACS Launches National Living Wage Survey 2021
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on retailers to respond to its annual National Living Wage Survey.
Launched today (16th April), ACS’ National Living Wage Survey will inform ACS’ submission to the Low Pay Commission’s consultation on future wage rates. The consultation is seeking views on:
Read MoreIndustry Bodies Come Together for Welsh Hustings Event
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) partnered with the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and other food and drink industry groups for a Welsh hustings event this morning ahead of the Welsh Assembly elections taking place on May 6th.
The event, chaired by Chris Kelsey, editor of Business News Wales, gave the opportunity for political parties to provide more detail about how their policies will support the food and drink sector.
The party representatives included:
Read MoreACS Reminds Local Shops About Upcoming Changes to the Sale of Domestic Solid Fuels
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding convenience retailers about the upcoming changes to the sale of manufactured solid fuels and wood.
From 1st May 2021, retail businesses in England including convenience stores, supermarkets and forecourts must not sell traditional house coal (bituminous coal).
Permitted manufactured solid fuels and wood also can only be sold as follows:
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