Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Nisa welcomes bill for protection of shopworkers

Nisa welcomes bill for protection of shopworkers
Nisa managing director Peter Batt

Nisa has welcomed proposals in the Kings’ Speech to introduce a bill to protect retail workers against abuse and assault.

The Kings’ Speech is the first major opportunity for the new Labour government to set out its legislative agenda for the coming year. As widely predicted, the government said it intends to introduce a separate offence for assaulting a retail worker in its Crime & Policing Bill.


Welcoming the proposals, Peter Batt, Nisa MD said, It's encouraging to see the introduction of a standalone offence for assaulting retail workers, especially after much campaigning from industry. However, it is crucial that independent retailers are included in these protections and are able to share in the additional police resourcing.

"The 2024 ACS Crime Report revealed 87 per cent of colleagues in convenience stores, many of which are independently owned, faced verbal abuse, including around 76,000 violent incidents against retail staff. Independent shops play a vital role on our high streets and deserve the same protection and support.

"We must ensure that all retail workers, including those in independent stores, feel safe and protected. Let's not leave them behind.”

Benedict Selvaratnam 2 1 1 editedRetailer Benedict Selvaratnam

Nisa retailer Ben Selvaratnam, owner of Freshfields Market in Croydon said, As an Independent store owner, I've witnessed firsthand the significant rise in retail crime, which has become an almost daily challenge for us. We face between three to ten theft attempts daily, which not only strains our finances but also impact the wellbeing of our staff and the overall community atmosphere.

"This legislation is a much-needed step in the right direction. The rise in assaults and abuse towards retail workers is alarming and unacceptable. For small, independent retailers such as myself, the lack of adequate protection and response from authorities has been a persistent issue.

"Implementing standalone laws to make assaulting retail workers a crime will hopefully serve as a strong deterrent and provide the necessary legal framework to ensure offenders are appropriately penalised.”

Read more here.

More for you

No Smoking sign in Swedish

A sign in Swedish says No Smoking in Stockholm, Sweden

Photo: iStock

Sweden achieves historic smokefree milestone

Sweden has inched closer to becoming officially ‘smoke free’, government figures released on Wednesday have shown.

Smoking prevalence across the country reduced to 5.3 per cent, according to the health data released by Sweden’s public health agency, but the figure is just 4.5 per cent among the nation’s Swedish-born adults – significantly below the globally recognised benchmark of 5 per cent for smoke free status.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post office shop
Photo: iStock

Post Office unveils plan to add additional £250m annually to postmaster incomes

Post Office has on Wednesday set out an ambitious five-year Transformation Plan to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’ that significantly increases their total annual income through revenue sharing and strengthens their role in the direction of the organisation.

The ‘New Deal for Postmasters’ follows a strategic review initiated by Nigel Railton, chair of Post Office Ltd, in May. The Transformation Plan sets out an ambition to deliver a quarter of a billion pounds boost to postmasters’ income by 2030.

Keep ReadingShow less
high street store
Photo: iStock

Businesses to get ‘right to rent’ long-term vacant shops as High Street Rental Auctions set to take effect

Councils will be handed new powers next month in an effort to breathe new life back into high streets and transform long-term empty shops, the government has announced.

High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) will allow local leaders to tackle persistently vacant properties in city, town and village centres by putting the leases up for auction, with businesses and community groups getting a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots.

Keep ReadingShow less
St Neots Rugby Club

Nisa Local St Neots donates £800 to support St Neots Rugby Club

St Neots store supports local rugby club with £800 donation

Nisa Local Longsand Parade in St Neots, a convenience store owned and operated by TYS Retail LTD, has donated £800 to St Neots Rugby Club through Nisa's Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.

The donation will be used to purchase new rugby kits for the club's youth teams.

Keep ReadingShow less
Regulator clears Arla Foods’ acquisition of Volac Whey Nutrition

Regulator clears Arla Foods’ acquisition of Volac Whey Nutrition

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Arla Foods Ingredients’ acquisition of Volac’s Whey Nutrition business.

The regulator’s go-ahead follows an evaluation that took place after an acquisition agreement was signed in April.

Keep ReadingShow less