ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has outlined what convenience stores in Wales need from the next Welsh Government in a meeting of the Cross Party Group on Small Shops.

At the meeting of the CPG on Small Shops, ACS set out ways that the next Welsh Government can support retailers after May’s election in the following areas:

Retail Crime

• Strengthen police capacity and improve reporting systems
• Remove barriers to investing in crime prevention measures
• Prioritise funding for trading standards

Business rates reform

• Maintain a meaningfully lower multiplier for local shops
• Reform Small Business Rate Relief
• Unlock investment through Improvement Relief

An effective Deposit Return Scheme

• A DRS that is cost neutral for retailers
• Clarity and guidance on what they’ll be required to do and when
• A scheme that aligns with the rest of the UK

The meeting also heard from Matthew Hunt, owner of Filco supermarkets, and Emma Corfield-Walters, owner of independent bookshops Bookish, about the challenges facing local shops in Wales at the moment and the support that they need in the next Senedd term.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The upcoming Welsh Election in May could mark a significant change for future policymaking, so it’s essential that all parties are aware of the incredible contribution that convenience stores make in Wales and the support that they need from the next Welsh Government to be able to focus on growth and investment in their businesses.”

Figures from the Welsh Local Shop Report show that convenience stores in Wales invested over £43m over the last year, employing over 26,000 people and generating sales of over £3bn.

ACS has put together a briefing for Members of the Senedd on what local shops need from the next Government, which is available here:  https://cdn.acs.org.uk/public/Welsh%20Election%20Briefing.pdf