Labour MP Steve McCabe has been re-elected as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Retail Crime.
The Birmingham Selly Oak MP, who is leading the cross-party group since November 2018, was re-appointed at a meeting last week.
The NFRN, which acts as the group's secretariat, said the APPG has made real progress under McCabe.
“Under Steve McCabe’s chairmanship, the APPG has made real progress in making the government more aware of the true impact that retail crime has on independent retailers and in the communities in which they serve,” Stuart Reddish, NFRN national president, said.
“We are delighted that he has been re-elected as chairman and look forward to working closely with him to continue to push in parliament the concerns, not just of our members’, but of the whole independent sector on retail crime.”
Baroness Eaton and MPs Alex Norris and Peter Bottomley were appointed as vice chairs of the group.
Major upgrades have been made to SPAR North of England’s range of Meal Deals.
The creation of a Premium Meal Deal means mealtimes have just got a whole lot tastier, with customers already benefiting from the launch of the new offer and additional lines within it. Hot food, sushi, or a deli baguette, sub or panini are included as mains, with a snack and a drink added in conjunction to complete the deal for just £5.
The new Premium Meal Deal complements the existing Standard Meal Deal, set at £4.25, which customers are already familiar with. This consists of a main – including pre-packed SPAR sandwiches, wraps, pasta pots, and salad pots – with a snack and a drink.
SPAR North of England’s Meal Deals have also been enhanced with the breadth of products and big brands also now available for customers to select from. There are now more than 400 drinks lines in the range and over 50 snack products, giving customers a much better variety when building their chosen deal.
As well as the changes to the lunchtime Meal Deals, the keenly priced Breakfast Meal Deal at £3.75, which includes a breakfast roll and hot drink, remains unchanged.
Standout value can also be found in the Coffee and Cake Deal and the Coffee and Pastry deal where customers can purchase a regular Cheeky Coffee and Clayton Park cake or continental pastry of their choice for just £2.75.
Months of work has gone into reviewing and improving the Meal Deal at SPAR stores in Northern England owned or serviced by James Hall & Co. Ltd, and the changes are the biggest to be implemented simultaneously by the business in 15 years.
Kim Hudson, Food To Go Development Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “We are excited to implement the new Premium Meal Deal and introduce the changes to the range we think customers will love.
“An enormous amount of work has gone into the entire Meal Deal review, and it has been a fantastic effort from departments across the company.
“The preparation has included a lot of market research, as well as taking in a broad spectrum of feedback from our Deli teams in our company-owned SPAR stores, and those of our independent SPAR retailers.
“We now believe have a comprehensive offer that is best in convenience, delivering customers value for money without compromising on quality, at a time when it has never been more important.
“The upgrades have been supported by a complete marketing campaign and the brand new in-store print marketing and digital screen assets are really placing Meal Deals front and centre of our customers when they come into store.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
The Parade at Southfields, Letchworth, has welcomed a brand-new Nisa convenience store, opening its doors just before Christmas.
Owned by local entrepreneur Monty Chandarana, the store represents a significant investment in the area, marking a complete transformation to create a vibrant community destination.
Chandarana, 36, is no stranger to serving the community. His family’s legacy began in 1987 when his parents opened The Grange Wine Store, which remains a pillar of the local area after its own refurbishment in 2020.
Expanding on this tradition, Monty continues to operate The Grange and Jackmans Wine Stores whilst also owning the Letchworth Laundrette and Southfields Salon on the same parade, demonstrating his dedication to enhancing local services.
“For decades, my family has been committed to serving the Letchworth community, and this new Nisa store is an extension of that commitment,” said Monty. “The Parade has always been the heart of this neighbourhood, and our goal with this renovation is to provide a top-quality shopping experience that meets the needs of local families, workers, and residents.”
The new Nisa store has undergone a complete renovation, featuring state-of-the-art refrigeration, shelving, and a fully reimagined layout. There’s a clear emphasis on sustainability in-store with energy efficient refrigeration and lighting throughout.
Designed to meet modern consumer demands, the store will offer an expanded range of groceries, fresh produce, and essentials, complemented by an in-store bakery and a dedicated food-to-go section. The food-to-go offering includes fresh coffee, pastries, and Rollover hot dogs - perfect for busy customers seeking quick, quality meals.
Chandarana’s decision to move into the convenience sector was driven by the opportunity to provide a much-needed service in the area.
“This is more than just a shop; it’s a community hub,” Monty explained. “We’re addressing gaps in the local market by offering fresh groceries, hot food, and a welcoming space where people can connect.”
Through its partnership with Nisa, the store will actively support the community via the Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity. By selling Co-op own-brand products, a percentage of sales will be donated to MADL, funding initiatives and causes that benefit the local area.
“Giving back is central to what we do,” said Monty. “We want this store to be more than just a place to shop—we want it to be a force for good in Letchworth.”The store’s grand opening on Saturday proved to be an event to remember. Customers enjoyed special promotions, free giveaways, and exclusive offers to celebrate the launch.
Chandarana’s passion for serving Letchworth is rooted in his personal and professional history.
“This parade is like a little town within the town, with 8,000 to 10,000 people who all know and support each other. I grew up here, and now the children of my childhood friends are coming into our stores,” he said. “This Nisa store is our way of giving back and ensuring everyone has access to a high-quality, affordable shopping experience.”
With its modern facilities, thoughtful design, and commitment to community, the new Nisa store on The Parade is set to become a cornerstone of Southfields.
Britain on Sunday became the first European nation to join a major Indo-Pacific trading bloc, in what has been hailed as the country's biggest trade deal since Brexit.
The UK is officially now the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The UK formally signed the accession treaty last year. Officials hope membership will boost Britain's flagging economy by as much as £2 billion a year.
The UK’s accession is estimated to benefit all UK nations and regions in the long run, relative to 2019 values, with boosts of £240 million for Scotland, £110 million for Wales, and £70 million for Northern Ireland.
According to government figures, the value of UK total trade in the 12 months to the end of September was £1.7 trillion.
"Agreements like this boost trade and create opportunities for UK companies abroad. This is a proven way to support jobs, raise wages, and drive investment across the country which is key to this government’s mission to deliver economic growth," business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said.
The alliance comprises fellow G7 members Canada and Japan, plus long-standing allies Australia and New Zealand, alongside Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Created in 2018, it has been seen as a bulwark against Chinese dominance in the region, although Beijing has applied to join.
The bloc, which accounts for about 15 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), will give British businesses trade access to a market of more than 500 million people, with the financial services, manufacturing and food and drink sectors in particular set to benefit.
"At a time of increasing barriers to trade globally, the UK’s accession to the CPTPP is welcome news for Chivas Brothers Scotch whisky business. Improved access to markets in dynamic regions like South East Asia and Latin America in a trading bloc which covers almost a fifth of the total value of Scotch whisky exports should help boost our £1bn annual exports," Jean-Etienne Gourgues, chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers, said.
The government said prices on consumer goods could also fall if savings are passed on by importers, with tariffs removed on items like fruit juices from Peru and vacuum cleaners from Malaysia.
The previous Conservative government signed Britain up in July 2023, with then business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch calling it "the biggest trade deal" since the UK left the European Union.
Britain has secured a number of post-Brexit trade deals, including with Australia, New Zealand and Singapore since it left the EU's single market at the start of 2021.
It is also pursuing one with Gulf countries, and last month Labour prime minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and India are to resume stalled talks to agree a free trade deal.
A much sought-after trade deal with the US remains elusive and could become even less likely when Donald Trump enters the White House in January.
A deal with Canada has also failed to materialise.
Wholesaler Parfetts is supporting its expansion plans in the South West by appointing Duncan Jelfs as regional business manager.
The move marks a significant step in strengthening Parfetts symbol presence in the area. With 38 years of experience in the retail and wholesale sectors, Duncan brings a depth of knowledge and expertise to the role.
The symbol group includes Go Local, Go Local Extra, the off-licence focused, The Local, and the newly launched forecourt and transient format, Shop & Go.
Duncan joins from Appleby Westward–Spar, where he held the position of commercial director. He managed the sales team, marketing, and price and proposition in this role. Before this role, Duncan was head of franchise at Bestway Retail, where he successfully managed multiple accounts, including Bargain Booze, Co-op Franchise, and Costcutter.
Duncan commented on his new role: "I have always thoroughly enjoyed working with independent retailers to help develop their stores, sales, and profit. I look forward to continuing this passion with Parfetts and building our presence in the South West. The employee-ownership model at Parfetts means they continue to invest back into their customers and their team. It's a unique proposition in our industry, and we're already seeing strong growth across the UK."
Duncan's extensive experience and dedication to supporting independent retailers make him a good fit for Parfetts' mission to empower retailers and drive their success. His appointment reflects Parfetts' commitment to bringing in top talent to bolster its team as it continues its ambitious growth strategy.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: "Duncan's years of experience and proven track record in the retail and wholesale sectors make him a fantastic addition to our team. He offers retailers in the South West unrivalled knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm, which will be invaluable in building relationships and expanding our presence in the region."
Parfetts operates a network of depots across England and Wales and has rapidly expanded its reach, offering retailers a comprehensive range of services, including digital solutions and next-day delivery.
The Post Office scandal continues to have a “severe” impact on the mental health and lives of the loved ones of victims, new research shows, calling on for tailored support for “secondary victims”.
Children (now adults), partners (including former partners), and other family members of those wrongly pursued by the Post Office, show high levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms as well as ongoing anxiety and stress.
This research indicates there is an urgent need for dedicated and tailored support for “secondary victims” impacted by this miscarriage of justice and the generational trauma that has followed as a result.
Experts examined the “ripple-effect” of harms on these “secondary victims”. As part of this work they used six clinical measures to gain insight into the impacts the Post Office scandal has had on participants’ mental health, life experiences, attitudes and beliefs.
The study was carried out by Dr Sally Day, Professor Rebecca Helm and Professor Richard Moorhead from the University of Exeter, Dr Emily Spearing, from the University of Western Australia and Dr Karen Nokes, from UCL. It has been shared with the official Inquiry, the victim core partipicant legal teams, and the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board.
Professor Helm said, “Our work suggests secondary victims of the scandal experience mental illness symptoms at worryingly high levels compared to the general population.”
At the end of the survey, participants were provided with the opportunity to share any further thoughts about the impact of the scandal. A total of 51 completed every part of the survey and 108 started it. Some indicated that they were not able to complete it due to acute suffering related to the scandal.
Clinical scales were not used to suggest or confirm medical diagnoses, but instead to develop knowledge of the variety and extent of possible harms caused by the scandal.
Many respondents met the clinical cut-off for post-traumatic stress symptoms (66.7 per cent of the 54 respondents answering the relevant questions) and depressive symptoms (69.8 per cent of the 53 respondents asking the relevant questions).
A total of 54.7 per cent of the 54 respondents who completed the anxiety-related questions met the cut-off point for requiring evaluation for high levels of anxiety (with 41.5 per cent of participants meeting criteria indicating severe anxiety).
Professor Moorhead said, “Our research clearly demonstrates how large the scandal looms in the lives of close family members of the subpostmasters and mistresses. The pain they live with is beyond sobering.
“Some family members told us they felt invisible in terms of accessing professional support services and experienced a lack of official recognition of their needs.”
The partners of those affected spoke of how lives had been “ruined” and futures altered by the impacts of the scandal. Children of former subpostmasters reported mirroring their parents’ strategies for coping, often feeling unable to disclose difficulties and access support.
Many reported feeling as if their childhoods had been “stolen” by the Post Office.
Respondents spoke of the care they hold for their family member who was a direct victim of the scandal, and how many live with a constant dread, fear, and anxiety that their family member was still at risk of having a serious mental health crisis, a nervous breakdown, and/or taking their own life.
Dr Day said, “This research highlights the ongoing mental health vulnerabilities generated from the scandal that families are forced to manage in their daily lives, largely on their own, and the potential for official responses to play a role in addressing some of the harm caused by the scandal.”