One in 10 corner shop owners says they would consider closing down if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law, according to a survey by Merlin Strategies for retailing community C-Talk. Out of more than 500 corner shop owners surveyed:
- 35% said they would need to lay off employees or reduce hours
- 26% warned they would have to raise prices across the board
- 79% retailers viewed the bill as an unprecedented threat to their business
- 76% feared the new rules will drive more people to buy illicit products
- 10% said they would consider closing their store permanently
Leader of the Protect Your Store campaign Paul Cheema said:
“Retailers are in a world of pain right now with higher NICs, higher business rates and higher wage costs all in the last year. On top of that, the government now wants to slap more regulations on us with their Tobacco and Vapes Bill – bringing in an unworkable generational ban and reducing access to information for those wanting to make better choices, all while failing to prevent the illicit trade.”
Cheema has now hand-delivered 1,435 signed letters from shop owners to Business Secretary Peter Kyle urging him rethink the bill. Meanwhile Tory peer Lord Naseby warns that HMRC could lose £6 billion from illegal imports after the bill becomes law. Burning a hole in the coffers…
