The Association of Convenience Stores is stepping up its public affairs work as part of its battle to ease the regulatory burden faced by retailers, delgates at its annual conference in Chester were told. With an election year looming, the association is appointing a new member to its public affairs team, has recruited new political advisors and has pledged to become more proactive in its communication with civil servants and MPs. Cabinet Office minister Graham Stringer promised those attending the conference that the government was committed to working with business to cut the burden of red tape and improve the quality of regulation. But ACS deputy vice chairman Mike Sherwood, who operates 10 stores in Norfolk, said: "Talk is cheap. Delivering on this principle is hard. How do you actually persuade regulators not to regulate?" He said the ACS would quiz members about where regulation hurt them most ­ and would make sure the government heard about the results. And the association would fight to make sure that retailers had the time and the information they required to prepare for any new regulatory challenges. The ACS will also be working closer with customs to dent the impact of bootlegging. A new scheme where retailers share sales data with customs officers to help them target resources and stop smugglers was unveiled at the conference. Tackling crime was another priority for the ACS, said Sherwood. "We are launching an audit plan for c-stores to help them become more proactive in tackling crime. "We will be working with a sample set of stores to recommend some solutions to impose in store, to assess the value of these solutions, and then to share this best practice with other members." The ACS will also be lobbying the Chancellor to make sure he includes a 100% tax relief on security investment in his 2001 Budget. {{NEWS }}