Industry Bodies Work Together to Help Retailers with New Licensing Laws

26-Aug-2005

Convenience retailers have been racing to take advantage of a recent partnership between neighbourhood shops industry champion ACS, and the BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector.

Earlier this year, a pilot membership package was put together exclusively for Booker off licence retailers to help them ensure that they were selling alcohol responsibly in line with the new licensing laws.  This has been so successful that ACS and BII are now rolling it out nationally.

New members of the ACS and BII joint membership offer can take advantage of:

Mrs Elaine Bagnell MBII, proprietor of Staplegrove Post Office in Staplegrove, Taunton, said, “I really appreciated all the help I received from the BII before I applied for my new licence.  The advice made a complicated process much easier. I also find all the material from the BII useful. I hope that my membership with the ACS will help my business become more profitable through using some of the services and advice available to members.”

ACS Chief Executive, David Rae said: “This is an exceptional offer for off licence retailers.  Alcohol is very firmly on the ACS agenda and with the introduction of the new licensing act and the violent crime reduction bill it is essential that c-store retailers do everything in their power to ensure that they are responsible when selling alcohol.  For just (£100?) retailers who take up this deal can benefit from being part of a professional body and have a strong lobbying voice in Parliament on alcohol issues.”

Vicky Jackson ABII, BII Head of Membership, said, “It is important that the BII offers help to all licensees at this time of great change. Our helplines mean that advice and reassurances can be given to members round the clock.  Social responsibility is at the forefront of the work of the BII and it is important to involve people working in all areas of the licensed trade. This partnership with the ACS helps extend this work further.”

To find out more or to take advantage of this excellent offer, retailers can log onto www.thelocalshop.com/licensing or call BII membership services on 01276 684449.

Notes to Editors:

The BII is the professional body for the licensed retail sector and has 17,300 members, and 50 patron and corporate members. In 2004 the BII's Awarding Body (BIIAB) processed 134,745 qualifications. The BII's mission is to promote high standards of professionalism throughout the licensed retail sector; to encourage new entrants into the industry, and to help them develop their long-term careers. We provide all our members with the information, skills and qualifications to help them succeed in their business activities.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is the trade association, representing more than 32,500 neighbourhood shops across the UK.  ACS has sent out more than 30,000 free licensing guides since March this year to help retailers with the licensing transition and is offering ongoing support and advice to retailers who have missed the deadline looking to make a new application.

 

 




ref PR 079034
Email melanie@bii.org
Contact Melanie Taylor, BII Corporate Communications Manager, 01276 417863 James Lowman, ACS Public Affairs & Communications Manager, 01252 515001 / 07801 831772