The owner urges the government to meet with them before the planned smoke and smoking crackdown to keep them shut down forever
“As small retailers and corner store owners, we are the backbone of the community, providing essential goods and services when it comes to trusted local businesses in the local area. Today, we immediately call for urgent consultations with the government on the far-reaching impact of the upcoming Tobacco and VAPES Act on our business, livelihoods and staff safety.
“We recognize the importance of responsible retail and the need to protect public health, but the risks of measures outlined in the bill choke small businesses like us. The proposed restrictions on advertising and display products will limit our ability to operate competitively and conduct legally available goods to adult consumers. These additional restrictions will make it harder for us to survive as we are already dealing with economic pressures, including rising rental and energy costs.
“In addition, the bill increases the increasing financial burden for small retailers. Recently, the increase in employer NPC contributions has expanded our resources and we are now being asked to undertake greater regulatory and financial pressure. For many of us, this may mean cutting employee time, reducing investment in stores, or, in some cases, closing forever.
“The safety of our workers is also paying more and more attention to it. The proposed implementation of strict ID checks will put employees in an increasingly difficult position, exacerbating the rise in levels of abuse and intimidation for individuals seeking age-restricted products. Shoppers don’t have to worry about their safety just because of their work. The government must acknowledge the practical implications of these measures and work with us to find a solution that balances public health goals with the feasibility and safety of independent retailers.
“We urge policy makers to interact directly with us, listen to our attention and work together to ensure that any new regulations are fair, proportionate and feasible. Small retailers are not just businesses – we are community hubs, local employers, and an important part of the UK Street.
“If the government is not hearing us now, it has the potential to leave thousands of independent retailers behind.
“We call on the government to consult with small retailers and corner store owners immediately before continuing with this legislation. Our livelihood, our staff and our community depend on it.
sign:
•Anand Cheema, Costcutter – Fresh Falkirk, Falkirk
•Natalie Lightfoot, Londis solo, Glasgow
•Sukh Gill, Nisa Local, Burton of Trent
•Barry Patel, Nisa Local, Luton
•Amanpreet Samra, Prime Minister – Jai Convenience, Stirling
•Jaspreet Khaira, Premier Medwyn store, Alloa
•Gurpreet Sidhu, Shopsmart, Glasgow/Coatbridge
•Sukhdev Sindhar, Premier, Airdrie
•lakhvir sidhu, sidhu of sale, airdrie
•PJN Limited, Morrisons Daily, Wilmcote
•PJN Limited, Morrisons Daily, Mickleton
•PJN Limited, Morrisons Daily, Winchcombe
•Bay Bashir, go local, Middlesbrough (five stores)
•Sunder Sandher, one stop, Leamington Spa
•Sunita Aggarwal, Spar Wigston Leicester
•Chaz Chahal (many daily stores of Costcutter and Morrisons in Worcestershire)
• Harj Dhasee in Gloucester (NISA local)
•Neil Godhania, Prime Minister of Neil, South Bretton
•Avtar Sidhu, St John’s Budges, Kenilworth
•Sukhjit Sidhu, Londis Abbey End, Kenilworth
• Surjeet Notay, Notay convenience store in West Yorkshire
•Mike Lakhani, Prime Minister’s Store, St. Mary’s Supermarket, Southampton
•Dee Sedai, one-stop, Trent’s Stoke
•Sandep Bains, welcome Kent
