GovWire

1.1A convenience store has the following characteristics:

• a trading area less than 280m (recognised in the industry as 3000 ft)
• this is not subject to restricted opening hours under the Sunday Trading Act 1994. The Sunday Trading Act 1994 allows shops with a retail area less than 280 m to open for unrestricted hours on a Sunday
• it usually stocks at least seven of the following categories of product; alcohol , bakery, canned and packaged grocery, chilled food, confectionery, frozen food, fruit/vegetables, health and beauty, hot food -to- go, household, national lottery, milk, newspapers/ magazines, non food, sandwiches, savoury snacks, soft drinks, tobacco

1.2This section is intended to cover larger convenience stores which have dedicated sales area in excess of 80 m. In this context, dedicated sales area is defined as the area within the unit dedicated to the sale of goods only. It does not include stores, ancillary offices etc. It is the propertys attributes and not the operator which is important in determining whether it falls within the scope of this section.

1.3The following types have been identified:

Type 1

Classified as a Very good or Prime convenience store as defined by:

1. Location usually located in major town or city centres, popular tourist destinations.

2. Catchment usually located in either large catchment areas with a high-density population and affluent locations. They have a high level of footfall or vehicular flow, or they are in a high Zone A value area.

3. Physical attributes usually purpose built or very good quality conversions (e.g., former public house). Built close to the optimum size for the retail area (trading area of 280m) and storage and commonly ground floor only. They may have their own exclusive car parking on-site but not necessarily in densely populated urban areas.

Type 2

Classified as a Good or Prime/Secondary convenience store as defined by:

1. Location usually located in either good town centres and suburban areas, or prominent main road locations.

2. Catchment Affluent suburban locations - good villages and urban areas usually have a good catchment area, or residential area nearby, or there are relatively high Zone A values in the locality. Can include less affluent but in good high-density populated areas.

3. Physical attributes usually purpose built or good quality conversions (e.g., former public house). Built close to the optimum size for the retail area (trading area of 280m) and storage and commonly ground floor only. They may have their own exclusive car parking on-site but not necessarily in densely populated urban areas.

Type 3

Classified as an Average or Secondary convenience store as defined by:

1. Location Typically located usually on a main road/B road, or in a neighbourhood. Can include average suburban or village locations.

2. Catchment - They usually have a reasonable catchment area, or a residential area nearby, or they are in an average zone A value area.

3. Physical attributes can be purpose built, or stores consisting of multiple shops being knocked through, or an average to good standard of conversion and may have parking.

Type 4

Classified as an Poor or Secondary/ Tertiary convenience store as defined by:

1. Location Usually located in small parades, including local authority estates and less densely populated rural areas.

2. Catchment - Generally areas of less affluence. They are in a low Zone A value area.

3. Physical attributes These can include older purpose-built units, converted properties and stores consisting of multiple shops being knocked through. Typically, smaller than optimum size (trading area less than 280m) and run by mainly private single operators, or franchisees. Generally, have little or no parking facilities.

Type 5

Classified as an Very poor or Tertiary convenience store as defined by:

1. Location Usually located in small parades, including local authority estates and less densely populated rural areas.

2. Catchment - Generally areas of less affluence. They usually have minimal passing traffic, with the majority of customers arriving on-foot. They are in a very low Zone A value area.

3. Physical attributes Generally converted from other uses (not fit for purpose) Typically smaller than optimum size (trading area less than 280m) and run by mainly private single operators, or franchisees. Little or no parking facilities.