Press Releases

Crimestoppers and the Association of Convenience Stores offer reward of up to £20k for information on attempted murder of shopkeeper in Plaistow.

Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and its partner, the Association of Convenience Stores are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for crucial information leading to an arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for the attempted murder and attempted robbery of a shop owner and his employee in Plaistow, London.

ACS has responded to the publication of two consultations from Ofgem, calling for more to be done to tackle problems faced by retailers when dealing with energy companies.

ACS has responded to the Home Office’s announcement of a consultation on locally set license fees, calling for clarity on the level of the cap for cost recovery. 

The consultation proposes that licensing authorities will be able to recover costs incurred through the licensing function.

ACS has welcomed the publication of a review into the way business rates are administered led by the Treasury and Department for Communities and Local Government.

Local shops have welcomed an announcement from Government that will see all businesses affected by flooding given 100% rate relief.

ACS has called on the Chancellor to shut down the black market in alcohol and tobacco in its submission ahead of the 2014 Budget.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The level of alcohol and tobacco duty fraud in the UK needs to be addressed immediately through adequate enforcement on both the local and national level. By increasing in alcohol and tobacco duty, the Chancellor will only drive customers away from legitimate retail and toward the illicit trade.

ACS has welcomed calls from the Environmental Audit Committee to introduce carrier bag charging in England for all businesses.

In a report due to be published on Thursday, the Committee will recommend that any charge brought in for England should mirror that which is already in place for Wales, as it is simple and clear for customers. This would mean that a charging scheme would be introduced for all businesses in England, with proceeds from the charge going to charitable causes.

Bill Esterson Labour MP for Sefton Central led a Westminster Hall debate calling on the Government to do more to support independent retailers.

 Local shops have welcomed the announcement that 300,000 retail businesses will be eligible for a rates discount of £1000.

Guidance for local authorities published today spells out which types of retail businesses, this includes standalone convenience stores, post offices and petrol forecourts will be entitled to the new discount, if they are below the rateable value threshold.

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker has been confirmed to speak at the February ACS Crime Prevention Seminar.

The Seminar, which takes place on Tuesday February 25th at Methodist Central Hall in London, will give retailers the opportunity to put their question to the Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Chair of the National Retail Crime Steering Group on the Government’s policy to crack down on crime against local shops.

Other speakers at the seminar include: