Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

ACS: energy support crucial for convenience stores ahead of Fiscal Statement

ACS has called on the Government to secure the future of the UK’s convenience stores, warning of store closures from April if current support is not extended.

Ahead of the Fiscal Statement on November 17, ACS has written to the Chancellor calling for support in three crucial areas that will affect how convenience stores can continue to trade and invest in 2023:


  • Longer term support on energy bills: The current Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) is scheduled to come to an end after March 2023. From that point on, the Government is planning to target further reliefs to vulnerable sectors. ACS has made it clear to the Government that the convenience sector needs additional support, with hundreds of stores forced to consider their future viability if their electricity prices rise significantly. By supporting convenience stores with their energy costs until at least April 2024, the Government will be taking the most significant step toward protecting essential local businesses and enabling them to continue serving their communities.
  • Freeze business rates increases for three years: Throughout the pandemic, convenience stores have been supported with reductions in their business rates. However, this support is set to end in April 2023, alongside a scheduled increase in the multiplier of 10.1 per cent linked to September’s CPI rate, and a long-delayed revaluation that is set to increase costs even further. ACS is calling on the Government to freeze the multiplier for the next three years to give businesses some certainty over their costs and enable them to plan more effectively for long term expenditure.
  • Better transitional rate relief: As a result of the long-delayed business rates revaluation, there are thousands of stores that will see a significant shift in their rateable value, resulting in a change in their business rates bills. ACS is calling on the Government to ease the burden of business rates by improving both downward and upward transitional rate relief to help businesses manage the change gradually.

“All indicators point toward this being a difficult Fiscal Statement, with cuts more likely than spending pledges," said ACS chief executive James Lowman. "However, we believe there is a strong case for further support for convenience stores, as this represents some of the best return on investment in a local community.

“Convenience stores provide secure local jobs, act as social and community hubs, have a positive impact on the areas that they trade in, and in rural areas especially are often the only place where a range of essential goods and services are provided for miles around. Many customers pay their energy bills in local shops, so keeping these essential services available locally is especially important now.

“This sector is adaptable and resilient, but without additional support from April next year, most crucially on energy bills, thousands of retailers will be forced into difficult decisions. We anticipate that stores would close and communities suffer as a result.”

ACS has estimated that an average convenience store could be facing energy bills of around £88,000 next year, in many cases this is four times what they were paying at the start of 2021. As part of the campaign to secure longer term support on energy costs, ACS is urging retailers to write to their MPs, highlighting the impact of rising electricity prices on their businesses. More information about how to get involved can be found at ACS.org.uk/campaigns

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less