BUSINESS SUPPORT
WELSH GOVERNMENT
ACS calls for backing of local shops The trade association has highlighted the measures that the Welsh Government can take to support small businesses at an evidence session.
T
he ACS has called on the Welsh Government to support local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need. At an evidence session taking place as part of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee held in the Welsh Parliament, ACS highlighted the measures that the Welsh Government can take to support small businesses during the cost-of-living crisis and wider recovery from the pandemic.
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Speaking during the session, ACS Communications Director Chris Noice said: “Convenience stores in Wales are facing significant pressures at the moment from increased, energy costs, challenges with the cost and frequency of deliveries into stores, difficulties with hiring new colleagues, and rising wholesale prices. “These retailers can only hold off on passing additional costs on to customers for so long before they have no other option, so it’s essential that the Welsh Government acts to support local shops through targeted interventions that will allow them to reduce the cost of doing
business, and in turn avoid further price hikes for customers.” Noice added: “We’re urging the Welsh Government to look at ways to support local shops by acting to mitigate the cost of their energy bills, ensuring that the looming return of business rates bills next year does not have a significant negative impact, and finding ways to incentivise businesses that provide sustainable, local, flexible and secure jobs.” The evidence session also heard from Assistant Director at CBI Wales Leighton Jenkins and Senior Policy Adviser at the Federation of Small Businesses Dr Llŷr ap Gareth.
