Rural MPs supporting Local Shops
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Political News
MPs are supporting the rural convenience stores that are an indispensable hub for thousands of isolated communities across the UK.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is calling for a level playing field for the UK's 16,944 rural convenience stores.
This would allow these retailers to keep pace with new technological developments and continue to provide the essential services to the local people.
The Rural Shop Report 2019 reveals that these rural convenience stores provide a sum total of flexible jobs for almost 140,000 people. Despite the struggles with slow broadband speeds and unreliable mobile connectivity, these shops have invested over £271 million into improving their businesses.
The fundamental importance of these rural shops is highlighted in the report and its new research, showing that one in five people living in rural areas would have to travel more than five miles to get essential groceries and products without their local convenience store.
This 2019 report also explores the value of services to rural customers. According to the latest research, two services are of most value to customers, the Post Office and cash machines. For young people aged 18-24, access to a cash machine was the most valuable service available in their local shops. This enforces the importance and continued relevance of cash as the method of payment within stores and wider communities.
Read the full report here.