SHOP jobs will be lost in Bradford as a result of the introduction of the National Living Wage in 2016, the Association of Convenience Stores has warned.

The association has submitted new evidence giving details to the Low Pay Commission that the living wage at £7.20 per hour for workers over 25, will cost the sector in excess of £167 million.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of the national living wage will have a devastating impact on many of the 51,000 convenience stores in our sector.

"More than 60 per cent of stores in the sector will look to reduce the number of staff hours in their business and delay investment plans, while for some already operating on the edge of profitability it will mean that they will have to either stop employing staff or close their business altogether."

In its submission to the Low Pay Commission, ACS has called for the Commission to review the impact of the 2016 National Living Wage before making a recommendation on the 2017 rate.