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The manifesto, developed in collaboration with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), lists five key areas and interventions across government and parliament. The first of these is to maintain the Small Business Bonus Scheme for the lifetime of the next parliament. The scheme ensures that local stores can stay in business, support employment and investment.
Additionally, the manifesto calls for a moratorium on any new legislation impacting on the sector, dedicated funding to ensure that convenience stores can promote Scottish products, business impact assessments to ensure that traffic management and road redesign do not restrict deliveries or customer access to stores. The document also contains an urgent call for the Scottish government to begin to collect robust data on retail crime.
SGF chief executive, Pete Cheema, said: “Convenience stores have played a vital role in supporting customers and communities through the pandemic. It is vital that we build on this and ensure the long-term sustainability of local, community-based stores. Our manifesto sets out tangible, practically-focused measures which are all achievable within the lifetime of the next parliament. We will work closely with new Scottish government and with MSPs from across all the political parties to ensure a thriving convenience store sector in Scotland.”
ACS chief executive, James Lowman, added: “We need the next Scottish government to recognise the important role of local shops in delivering essential goods and services in communities. As a sector, we are committed to helping the government meet the complex environmental and social challenges, but we also need a balanced regulatory and tax environment to trade competitively.”
