News that the government office which shelters small businesses from excessive local regulation will not be axed as part of the government's spending review has been welcomed by retailers.

The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) was one of the many public bodies under review by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, but last week it was announced that its deregulatory work would be allowed to continue.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents welcomed the move and urged the government to pay greater attention to the LBRO's recommendations.

Last week the LBRO announced that it was to study proposals to tackle age-restricted sales. It will tackle four of 12 recommendations made in a report by the independent Age-Restricted Products Review Group, a body comprising retailers and trade associations including the Association of Convenience Stores.

The report called for closer working between regulators and businesses, a simplified and more consistent approach to the sale of age-restricted products for retailers, and ensuring that stores are informed when they pass a test purchase.

Topics