More than 40 of the parliamentary candidates that signed the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Local Shops Pledge have gone on to become MPs.

In the first week of the election campaign, the ACS wrote to prospective MPs asking them to support and recognise the contribution that local shops make to communities and the economy. Throughout the course of the election campaign, over 90 candidates signed the pledge, with 43 of these voted in as MPs.

“The great response that we’ve had from candidates shows just how valuable they see local shops in their communities,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman. “Now that the election is over, we will make sure that the candidates who were elected are up-to-date on the issues surrounding local shops and we hope to build strong relationships with these MPs.”

Lowman explained the value of the local shops pledge. “It establishes a link between us and the next generation of MPs that will make the decisions that affect local shops in coming years,” he added. “Our job is to use this relationship to ensure that parliament fully understands the needs and concerns of local shops as they do their work.”