Press Releases

In its submission to the Treasury ahead of the final Budget before the 2015 General Election, ACS has highlighted long term business rates reform, tackling the £1.3bn annual cost of duty fraud and minimising the negative impact of employment costs as the issues where local shops need to see immediate action to unlock more growth and jobs in the convenience store sector.

In a letter to local councils, Ministers have told planning officers to use powers in the National Planning Policy Framework to deliver retail investment in town centres. Clarification of planning policy has only previously been delivered by Ministers on controversial planning issues like Greenbelt developments.

ACS has urged MPs to support the development of new convenience stores ahead of a debate on pub conversions.

The Government has confirmed that a vote on the introduction of standardised tobacco packaging will take place before Parliament breaks ahead of the General Election.

Health Minister Jane Ellison announced during an evening adjournment debate on Wednesday that the measures would be laid before parliament.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called for a tougher stance on shop theft from police and the justice system after figures released today by the British Retail Consortium revealed that the cost of shop theft across the retail sector has increased. Recently published government data also reflects this trend, reporting that overall, there has been a 5% increase in shop theft offences in England and Wales.

ACS has welcomed the simplified process for personal licence renewals set out by the Home Office ahead of the implementation of the Deregulation Bill.

The Deregulation Bill, which is currently before Parliament, intends to scrap the requirement for personal licence holders to renew their licence every ten years. However, the passing of this Bill will be after the ten year renewal point for those who were granted their licence in early 2005, so those holders will need to renew their licence.

The Department for Business has provided greater clarity on the ongoing legal issues surrounding backdated holiday pay, tabling regulations to introduce a two year limitation on how far back a claim for deduction from wages can go.

The search for the best small shop in the UK has been launched today as part of a competition organised by the All Party Small Shops Group.

Speaking at the launch, APPSSG Chairman Simon Danczuk MP said: “We are looking for the best small shops in the UK to come forward and tell us the great work they do to serve their communities and create jobs in the economy. Grocers, Delis, Booksellers, Music Shops all have the chance to tell us why they are the best small retailer.”

ACS has welcomed a consultation from the Department of Health on introducing age restrictions for the purchase of electronic cigarettes.

The proposed regulations would:

The number of retailers increasing their staff hours has taken a sharp downtown since the 19p increase of the National Minimum Wage in October, according to new research from the Association of Convenience Stores.