More local shop owners are planning to invest in their businesses than at any time over the past two years, according to the latest quarterly Voice of Local Shops survey by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS)

Retailers are more optimistic than in the summer, and this is reflected in more investment being planned for the coming year.

The survey of 1,100 retailers across the UK showed that one in four (25%) are planning to invest in making improvements in their store over the coming year, with that figure rising to a third (33%) in Scotland.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “These figures demonstrate retailers optimism for the future, and give a promising indication that economic recovery is being felt by the entrepreneurs running local shops in communities up and down the country. Despite tough competition and tight margins, local shops are backing their communities with hard cash and jobs.”