Ahead of its series of fringe meetings at this year’s Political Party Conferences, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is to engage leading members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the issue of the future of local shops.
David Rae, ACS chief executive said: “The debates that are being held in Europe today will become the policies that affect retailers in the UK tomorrow. It is therefore vital that ACS is making our members’ voices heard in Europe. Top of our agenda will be the future of the local shop in a consolidating grocery market.”
Rae added: “We are delighted that we will be able to engage in debate with many of the leading MEPs in this arena, including the likes of Arlene McCarthy, who is Chairwoman of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.”
MEPs due to meet ACS include: Arlene McCarthy (Labour MEP for the North West), Giles Chichester (Conservative MEP for the South West), Phillip Bushill-Matthews (Conservative MEP for the West Midlands) and Glenis Wilmott (Labour MEP for the East Midlands).
The ACS delegation, including Rae and government relations manager Shane Brennan, will meet the five leading MEPs in Brussels on September 19.
