Spending cash purely for your convenience

The UK’S rural shops have invested more than £315 million in the past year on services like contactless payment, in-store bakeries and Post Office counters to meet customer needs in more remote areas.

The 2018 Rural Shop Report released today by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) says more than half of nontown stores (57 per cent) operate entirely on their own, with no other retail/ service businesses close by.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Substandard broadband and mobile connection speeds and a lack of effective business rates relief remain serious concerns for rural stores who are keen to invest in their businesses and offer more services.”