ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved with this year’s Great Get Together, taking place this weekend (21st-23rd June).

The Great Get Together celebrates people and businesses taking part in community activities together. This could include a range of activities from hosting coffee mornings, being part of a village fete to putting on a barbecue or any other local community activity.

An estimated 300,000 people got involved with last year’s Great Get Together across 4,500 events with 83% of people saying that they met someone new at their Get Together.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Great Get Together is a fantastic opportunity for people and businesses to get involved with events and meet the people in their communities. Convenience stores have a unique reach into the areas that they serve and they play a key role for their customers, especially for those who may be more vulnerable and otherwise isolated. We encourage retailers to support and take part in the Great Get Together as a way to help tackle loneliness and isolation in their local area."

Figures from the 2018 Local Shop Report show that over the last year, 81% of independent retailers engaged in some form of community activity.

For more information and to take part, visit https://www.greatgettogether.org/how-to/

If you’re planning to take part in the Great Get Together, you can also share your pictures and videos online using the hashtag #GreatGetTogether and #moreincommon