Local shops 'increase sense of community'

Local shops increase consumers' sense of community, a poll commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has found.

At its annual conference in Birmingham today, the ACS revealed poll findings which suggested 65% of consumers thought their local shop increased their sense of community.

"The personal touch that independent retailers provide is clearly still important to people," said chief executive of the ACS, James Lowman. "This is where our sector will always have an advantage over the major supermarkets."

The poll also found that 52% of people want an independent retailer to run their local shop, with only 17% preferring a major supermarket chain to do the job.