Simon Danczuk, Rochdale MP, will take on the Chairmanship of the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group following Priti Patel MP’s promotion in the Government reshuffle to Exchequer Secretary. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “We are pleased that Simon is taking on the Chairmanship of the Small Shops Group. Simon already has an exemplary record campaigning on small shop issues such as business rates and planning policy. We would look forward to working with Simon over the coming months to get local shops’ voices heard in Parliament.”

Simon Danczuk MP said: “I am looking forward to taking on the Chairmanship of this group, as a small business owner myself I understand the stresses and strains of running a business and I want to make sure my Parliamentary colleagues do too.  Our economy is very dependent on entrepreneurs like small shop owners who create jobs and growth in the economy.” The All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group brings together a cross party group of parliamentarians with an interest in small shop issues and raising their concerns in Parliament. The Secretariat for the Group is delivered by ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on behalf of the Independent Retail Confederation. Lowman continued: “I would like to acknowledge and thank Priti Patel MP for the excellent work she did with the Small Shops group and wish her all the best in her new Ministerial post at the Treasury. Under Priti’s leadership the small shop group achieved a lot; holding energy companies to account on small business energy contracts, challenged Ministers to do more for small shops on the high street and scrutinised the Government’s changes to the management of shop theft offences.” You can now follow the activity of the All Party Small Shops Group via Twitter @SmallShopsAPPG or via the Indieretail.org website.