All ACS articles – Page 25
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Analysis
James Lowman - ACS Chief executive
Business rates are one of the biggest cost burdens on retailers, and while the government’s review of the system is a great opportunity, there will be winners and losers. It’s our job to explain why local shops should be net beneficiaries of the review. How do we think we can ...
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News
Living wage risks thousands of store closures says ACS
The future survival of thousands of convenience stores will be jeopardised by the introduction of the national living wage in April 2016, according to The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). New research by ACS shows that: the total cost of a £7.20 national living wage will be ...
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News
ACS opposes Sunday Trading proposals
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has heavily criticised plans introduced in the Budget to allow local authorities to decide whether to remove Sunday Trading rules. During today’s Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that the Government will seek to devolve powers to change Sunday Trading rules to local authorities as part ...
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News
Living wage plan slammed by ACS
The Government’s decision to introduce a mandatory living wage for workers over 25 has been described as “a reckless measure that will have a significant negative impact on the sector”, by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of a compulsory ‘Living ...
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News
ACS opposes Welsh bag Bill
Local shops in Wales have raised concerns over proposals in the Environment (Wales) Bill that would see new regulations introduced on carrier bags and waste disposal.The Bill puts forward the following proposals: increase the scope of the carrier bag charging regulations to allow Welsh ministers to impose a mandatory charge ...
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News
ACS opposes Welsh bag Bill
Local shops in Wales have raised concerns over proposals in the Environment (Wales) Bill that would see new regulations introduced on carrier bags and waste disposal. The Bill puts forward the following proposals: increase the scope of the carrier bag charging regulations to allow Welsh ministers to impose a ...
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News
SGF and ACS oppose bottle return proposal
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have submitted a joint response opposing proposals for a bottle return scheme in Scotland. They were responding to a call for evidence from Scottish environment agency Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) on the feasibility of implementing a deposit and ...
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News
ACS calls for fairer business rates for forecourts
Fairer valuations for forecourts are one of the key issues highlighted by the Association of Convenience Stores in a package of receommendations to Government, aimed at fundamental business rate reform.In its submission it says the business rates system should be fairer to help small businesses, and highlights the inherent issues ...
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News
PRA and ACS make submissions ahead of Budget
The PRA and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have both highlighted retailers’ concerns in submissions to the Chancellor, ahead of his Budget on July 8. PRA chairman Brian Madderson called for a 2ppl cut in fuel duty, suggesting that income from increased road fuel volumes would help to pay ...
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News
ACS maps out future for forecourts
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman has set out the challenges facing forecourts during the next parliament at today’s 2015 Forecourt Seminar, focusing on business rates and the continuing localism agenda as key priorities in the coming months. Speaking at the event in Birmingham, Lowman said: ...
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News
ACS highlights local shops to new MPs
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is this week sending constituency cards to all new MPs, detailing key information about the number of local shops in their area and the jobs that they create. The 2015 General Election resulted in over 100 new MPs entering the Houses of Parliament, ...
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News
ACS steps up guidance on tobacco display ban
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is encouraging retailers to follow Assured Advice on the tobacco display ban to ensure compliance with the regulations. By signing up to Assured Advice, which is free of charge for ACS members, retailers cannot be challenged by local enforcement agencies if they are following ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: ACS Chief executive
The Chancellor has delivered his final Budget of the parliament ahead of the election in May. One of the headlines grabbing a lot of attention was the announcement of 1p off a pint, reductions in other alcohol duties and a freeze in wine duty. This is good news for an ...
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News
ACS criticises size of minimum wage increase
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has criticised the Government’s above inflation 3% increase in the adult national minimum wage to £6.70, warning it will have have a negative impact on staffing and investment levels in the convenience sector. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are disappointed with the ...
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News
ACS calls for business rates reform
In its submission to the Treasury ahead of the final Budget before the 2015 General Election, the Association of Convenience Stores (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 ...
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News
ACS welcomes ministers’ support for town centres
In a letter to local councils, ministers have told planning officers to use powers in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to deliver retail investment in town centres. Clarification of planning policy has only previously been delivered by ministers on controversial planning issues such as greenbelt developments. Association of Convenience ...
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News
ACS campaigns over planning for c-stores
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged MPs to support the development of new convenience stores ahead of a debate on pub conversions. In a statement, the Department for Communities and Local Government said that it plans to “bring forward secondary legislation at the earliest opportunity so that in ...
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News
ACS calls for tougher action over shop theft
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called for a tougher stance on shop theft from police and the justice system after figures released 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, ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: ACS chief executive
Announcing business rates reform was the easy bit. Now the Chancellor has to work out what changes to this £26bn tax revenue stream will be fairer, pro-growth, fiscally responsible and popular. There are two key decisions to make. Firstly, what level of contribution does the Chancellor want business rates to ...
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News
ACS welcomes simplification of personal licences
The Association of Convenience Stores (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 ...