Beith backs corner shops

11.30.00am GMT Thu 5th Jan 2006

Alan Beith MP has voiced his support for local grocery and convenience stores throughout the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency.

Alan says

"For many of our smaller settlements, the local shop is the hub of activity. As well as selling basic provisions, shops display posters for local events and community gatherings. Without the shop, many of these other activities would find it much harder to attract support.

"I was shocked to learn that more than 2,000 independent local shops closed in 2004."

Alan has signed Early Day Motion 876 on the future of local community shops, which says

That this House believes in the importance of diversity and consumer choice in grocery shopping; is deeply concerned at the closure of more than 2,000 independent local shops in 2004 because of consolidation in the market; expresses disappointment and concern that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) decided not to conduct a full review of the grocery market in the light of this threat to the local shop; welcomes the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Small Shops that is carrying out an inquiry into the `High Street 2015'; and calls on the OFT to reconsider its decision.