The ACS welcomes the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme in the battle against the illicit and non-duty paid alcohol trade.

The AWRS was announced today in the Finance Bill and aims to reassure retailers about the legitimacy of alcohol wholesalers as well as make it harder for rogue wholesalers to sell illicit products.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “This is a positive step for local shops and wholesalers in the battle against the illicit trade, which accounted for £1.3bn in lost revenue to the Treasury in 2012-2013.”

He added, “Retailers will be able to check with greater certainty that the wholesalers they purchase alcohol from will be dealing in duty paid products.”