‘Protect Your Store, Have Your Say’ – a nationwide letter-writing campaign calling out the dangers of the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill for the convenience sector – has reached a major milestone. More than 1,000 letters have now been sent to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds urging him to support small businesses, as they fight against the negative implications of the Bill.
Breaking the 1,000-mark is a significant show of force from the convenience sector, as store owners across the country voice concerns over the Bill’s impact on store safety and economic implications.
With over 437,000 staff employed in convenience stores in the UK, and the industry projected to contribute £50bn+ annually to the economy by 2026*, convenience stores are an essential service. Yet, a poor impact assessment conducted and a clear lack of understanding of the convenience sector in Government has sentenced the sector to an uncertain future. Paul Cheema, founder of retailer platform C-Talk, launched the campaign to give retailers a quick and effective way to speak up.
Through the dedicated website www.protectyourstore.co.uk, retailers can submit a pre-written letter with just a few clicks, and the system then prints and dispatches it directly to Reynolds.
Paul Cheema said: “Retailers are stepping up because this Bill poses a real threat to our livelihoods and the communities we serve. This isn’t just bad policy, it’s dangerous. We all want to help reduce smoking, but the expense of our staff safety or livelihoods. And the reality is the responsible retailers who’ll be hit hardest by this Bill aren’t those already selling to minors. It’s unthinkable that the government is contemplating new laws when existing age-of-sale enforcement by thousands of illicit shops is so woeful.
The convenience trade is already under immense pressure from rising costs, the growing illicit tobacco trade and an epidemic of shopworker abuse. That’s why we’re calling on everyone who works in a convenience store to join this campaign and make sure our voices are heard before it’s too late.”
With over 50,000 convenience stores in the UK, 70% of which are independently run, the campaign is calling for more retailers to act now and put pressure on Mr Reynolds to represent their views at Cabinet.
To send your own letter to the Business Secretary and join the growing movement of retailers speaking out, visit www.protectyourstore.co.uk.
