James Lowman, Association of Convenience Stores

James Lowman
ACS Chief Executive
Helping local shops stay open for business
About ACS
•
•
•
•
•
Formed in 1995
33,500 shops in Membership
Buying Groups, Symbol Groups, Multiples Convenience Stores,
Independents
Premier Club of Suppliers
Lobby group for sector
•
•
•
•
•
Members of UGAL for EU lobbying
Providing advice for Members
Offering networking opportunities
Website: ACS.org.uk
Twitter: @ACS_Localshops
• @JMLowman
33,500 members
Shops
Scotland: 1 shop per 973 people
Wales: 1 shop per 998 people
London: 1 shop per 1,279 people
Eastern: 1 shop per 1,372 people
Shop Ownership
Jobs
Engagement
•
Context
•
Proportion
•
Education
Engagement
•
Trading Places
•
Community Alcohol Partnerships
Consistency
Small Business
Compliance
Primary Authority
Sharing Good
Protocols
Codes (eg BRDO)
Set Standards With
Business
Government
Guidance/Regulations
Common Approach
•
Certainty
•
Avoid duplication of effort and private & public cost
•
Attains required standard
Consistency
Small Business
Compliance
Primary Authority
Sharing Good
Protocols
Codes (eg BRDO)
Set Standards With
Business
Government
Guidance/Regulations
Sharing Good Protocols
•
Positive approach on test purchasing
•
Sharing outcome with retailer: pass or fail
•
Fair and robust standards
Sharing Good Protocols
Local Policies
•
Should be locally-driven and vary
•
Should be developed through wider consultation
•
May not be consistent
Local Policies
•
CIPs, late night levy, EMROs
•
Planning approach
•
Inventive use of business rates relief
•
Parking and accessibility policies
Local Policies
•
Challenge to engage other businesses
•
Challenge to engage other agencies
•
Relationships built through good enforcement to help create good policies
Thank you