Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Fed welcomes commitment to ‘keep communities safe’; vows to fight for security grants for small shops  

Fed welcomes commitment to ‘keep communities safe’; vows to fight for security grants for small shops  
iStock image
Getty Images

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has vowed to keep up the pressure on the government to provide grants to improve security in smaller shops.

In his first speech at the state opening of parliament, King Charles said his government “will act to keep communities safe from crime and anti-social behaviour”.


He added: “A Bill will be brought forward to ensure tougher sentences for the most serious offenders and increase the confidence of victims.”

The Fed recently launched its Safe, Secure, Supported campaign demanding financial help for independent shops to increase their safety through better CCTV and other security measures, in the midst of rising incidents of shoplifting and abuse.

“We are pleased that tackling crime and anti-social behaviour was included in the King’s speech, but this must be followed up with real action,” Muntazir Dipoti, rhe Fed’s national president, said.

“Retail crime has reached epidemic proportions in recent months and we urge the government to provide an immediate and meaningful response to this growing issue.”

As expected, the King’s speech also reiterated the government’s intention to clamp down on under- age smoking.

King Charles said: “My government will introduce legislation to create a smoke-free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco so that children currently aged 14 or younger can never be sold cigarettes and restricting the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children.”

Commenting, Dipoti added: “While we wholeheartedly agree that children should not have access to tobacco and other nicotine products, this must not be to the detriment of adults who want to give up smoking.

“We are also concerned that banning items such as single use vapes will merely drive sales underground, giving unscrupulous black marketeers more opportunity to profit by selling vapes and e-cigarettes to minors.”

More for you

Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less