PEOPLE in Conwy and Denbighshire have been urged to support local shops by Darren Millar AM.

He was speaking after the launch of the Welsh Local Shop Report 2019 in the Senedd this week.

The report by the Association of Convenience Stores shows how convenience stores are supporting communities by providing thousands of jobs, stepping in to ensure essential services like access to cash are available, and investing millions to ensure they stay relevant in the face of competition from larger stores and online businesses.

Mr Millar said: “The report found there are 2,923 convenience stores in Wales, 83% of which are run by independent retailers. They provide almost 23,000 jobs to local people and generated sales of around £2.5bn over the last year. Most are located in rural areas.

“The report also found despite rising costs and a continued squeeze on product margins, they have still invested in providing services for customers, with 79% of stores now offering contactless payment, 48% provide a free to use cash machine for customers, 29% of stores having a Post Office counter and 67% of stores providing bill payment services

He added: “This report reinforces the crucial role of local shops. They form the backbone of our communities and I encourage everyone to support them.”